Two-time world champion Gary Anderson has withdrawn from this year’s World Grand Prix in Dublin and will be replaced in the field by Mark Webster.
The world-number two, who was beaten in the final of last year’s event by Michael van Gerwen, will remain at his home in Somerset ahead of the impending birth of his second child with partner Rachel.
The Scot will be replaced by former Lakeside world champion Mark Webster, who was the next non-qualified player via the PDC Order of Merit. As a direct replacement for Anderson, the Welshman will now take on debutant Richard North in Monday’s first-round.
In his most recent World Grand-Prix appearance back in 2015, Webster reached the semi-finals before losing out to Van Gerwen, whilst he also reached the quarter-finals at the Citywest on his debut in 2011.
Anderson isn’t the only high-profile star to be missing out on this year’s event, as eleven-time winner Phil Taylor also opted to withdraw ahead of his impending retirement in January 2018.
Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
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