Michael van Gerwen faces missing out on a colossal payday after tumbling down the Players Championship Rankings. The 36-year-old Dutch ace is in serious jeopardy of failing to qualify for the Players Championship Finals - potentially costing him a staggering £600,000 windfall - as he languishes £6,500 short of securing his spot. The three-time world champion had just five tournaments remaining to book his place in the competition he has dominated seven times - but his absence from this week's Players Championship 30 draw has left him battling against the clock.

Van Gerwen must surge into the top 64 of the Players Championship Rankings - where Keane Barry, Ritchie Edhouse and Niko Springer are all level on £22,000. The former world No.1 currently sits in a worrying 92nd position with £14,500 - and he's not alone in his struggles, with Florian Hempel, Nathan Aspinall and Kim Huybrechts all languishing outside the crucial top 64.

Teenage sensation Luke Littler also finds himself beyond the qualifying positions, though the 17-year-old needs to bridge just a £1,000 gap. All the struggling stars will get their chance at Players Championship 31 and 32 in Wigan later this month.

Meanwhile, the under-pressure players must shift their focus to the World Grand Prix and its challenging double-in format. Van Gerwen will kick off his campaign against fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode.

The preparation hasn't been ideal for the former world champion, who was caught on camera in a heated altercation during a night out.

Van Gerwen explained to Darts News: "After an enjoyable night out, we wanted to grab something to eat, and unfortunately I ended up in a situation you'd rather avoid.

"The man came at me from the kitchen, not the other way round, following a verbal exchange. People are making it sound more dramatic than it actually was, which is a shame.

"As you can see, people stepped in straight away and the situation was resolved. I even spoke with the man's nephew afterwards, and we cleared the air before we left."