LIVERPOOL – Dimitri Van Veen has sent shockwaves through the darts world this week, announcing he has “scrapped” his former match darts following a string of frustrating performances—and the early returns at the Liverpool Masters are nothing short of sensational.
The Dutch rising star, known for his explosive scoring power, didn’t hold back after cruising into the third round with a blistering 106 average. “I was done with it,” Van Veen said, referring to his old set of arrows. “Same darts, same misses, same frustration. Something had to change.”
And change it did. After months of tinkering behind the scenes, Van Veen took to the Liverpool stage with a brand-new, heavier barrel setup—and instantly looked like a different player. His finishing, once a weak spot, clicked into gear with back-to-back 130+ checkouts, while his body language radiated confidence rather than the usual exasperation.
Fans quickly took to social media, with one posting: “Van Veen with new darts = appointment viewing.” Another added: “Whatever he’s changed, keep it. This is a major contender.”
Van Veen admitted the decision was not made lightly. “You don’t just throw away years of muscle memory,” he explained. “But I was stuck. Now I feel free. The darts are going where I’m looking again.”
With a potential quarterfinal showdown against a top-10 seed looming, all eyes will be on whether the “Liverpool bounce” is a flash in the pan—or the start of a major resurgence.
One thing’s for sure: the old darts won’t be making a comeback. “They’re in the bin,” Van Veen smiled. “And they’re staying there.” 👀
