OWEN BATES lost to Michael van Gerwen in the Players Championship 14 – but his old well-worn shoes were slammed by pundits!
The 22-year-old lost 6-3 to three-time world champion Van Gerwen in round one with the Dutchman averaging 94 and nailing six of his sixteen darts at double.
But while Van Gerwen ended his run of four straight first-round knockouts, it was Bates’ footwear that stole the spotlight.
In commentary Paul Nicholson said: “I was having a word with Owen about his love for wearing very simple darting footwear.
“For a while he had been wearing the same plimsoles for the past two or three years.
“They were so worn out at the bottom he would actually fluff them up by wearing extra pairs of socks.
“I do believe he has got new shoes now.”
Co-commentator Dan Dawson added: “Yeah, he was wearing multiple pairs of socks at one point. I think he has been publicly shamed into sorting that out.”
Despite the defeat, Bates is still enjoying a strong 2025.
World No. 79 Bates is second on the Development Tour Order of Merit behind Beau Greaves after picking up two titles already this season.
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Meanwhile Van Gerwen has also sparked attention – not for his darts, but for his freak injury.
He pulled out of the Premier League night in Berlin after injuring his shoulder while trying on shirts.