Michael van Gerwen will be leaving nothing to chance this Christmas as he bids to win a fourth PDC World Championship crown at Ally Pally.
'The Green Machine' has returned to his native Holland after beating Lewis Williams 3-0 in his second round match, and will enjoy a festive lunch on Sunday with wife Daphne and their two children. But he won't be hanging around for dessert, planning to make the 305-mile drive back to London the same day.
Van Gerwen does not face Mensur Suljovic until Wednesday. But with Eurostar trains on Boxing Day cancelled due to RMT train strikes, and the Eurotunnel services and Channel ferries expected to be extremely busy, the three-time champion has explained why he's leaving nothing to chance.