Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen has played his first darts event since announcing his split from wife Daphne Govers. ‘MVG’ confirmed in May that the pair were finalising a divorce after withdrawing from the Dutch Darts Championship, and is yet to return to the PDC Tour.
However, on Saturday, he appeared at a Modus Darts event in Waregem, Belgium. The entertainment company has become famed for touring the UK and Europe, hosting events attended by professional players and characterised by audience interaction.
The 36-year-old appeared pleased to be back, sharing footage of his entrance to the oche on X with the caption: “What a phenomenal atmosphere this evening.” Noticeably, though, the Dutch star wasn’t in his trademark attire.
Instead of the bright green shirt that has become synonymous with Van Gerwen on stage, he wore a black top. That was despite previously wearing his usual green when attending MODUS exhibition events.
Only once in 15 years has he been known to chage his usual strip. That was at the Winmau World Masters in January 2025, where he agreed to a special black and gold edition to mark spending five years with the tournament sponsors.
However, the Belgian crowd still gave him a rousing reception on what appeared to be a big step towards a tour comeback.
During his absence, Van Gerwen missed a European Tour event in Rosmalen and the World Cup of Darts in Germany. Instead, Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen represented the Netherlands and reached the quarter-final stage.
Prior to his announcement, the icon had struggled for form in 2025 since reaching the final of the World Championships in January. Following his defeat to Luke Littler at Ally Pally, his only tournament win since then came at the German Darts Grand Prix.
Van Gerwen and Daphne married in 2014 and have two children together. After revealing they were separating, he said he would withdraw from all PDC events for the foreseeable future.
The organisation’s next major tournament is the Baltic Sea Darts Open 2025, part of the European Tour, which will take place from July 11 to 13 in Kiel, Germany. ‘MVG’ did not enter the tournament in 2024.