Michael van Gerwen came up against a unique throw at the Bahrain Masters (Picture: Getty)
As the world’s best darts players returned to action at the Bahrain Masters, it was the performance from one local player that stole the show – and not for the right reasons.
Playing Michael van Gerwen in the first round, local qualifier Hasan Haji left stunned darts fans with his peculiar throwing action.
Standing front on to the oche, the 51-year-old’s bizarre throw saw the dart released well away from his eyes and with a huge twirling action.
Needless to say, Haji didn’t last long against the Dutch World No.2, averaging a meagre 60.18 compared to Van Gerwen’s 106.09 as he fell to a thumping 6-0 defeat.
Sky Sports commentator and former Darts player Wayne Mardle was just one of the many bemused by what he was seeing.
‘I don’t want to talk about it. My head hurts,’ Mardle said in response to a picture of Haji mid throw.
But fans certainly saw the amusing side. ‘I reckon I could give this lad a run for his money,’ one joked. Another said: ‘I throw better down the local after 8 pints and no glasses on.’
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, would not get drawn into any comments on Haji’s action, remaining focused on his goal of trying to win the Bahrain Masters for the first time.
‘My darts were going well and overall I can’t complain – to win 6-0 with a 106 average is always how you want to start a tournament,’ said Van Gerwen.
‘I’ve never won this event and I quite like this trophy, so I want to win tomorrow.’
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Elsewhere in the first round, there were wins for Peter Wright, Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall, Rob Cross and Michael Smith.
World champion Luke Humphries also booked his place in the quarter-finals with a 6-0 win, while teenage sensation Luke Littler overcame a slow start to win 6-3 in his first match back since losing to Humphries earlier in the month.
MORE : Manchester United legend Jaap Stam ‘amazed by Luke Littler’
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Fans had never seen anything like it.