Photo: Ben Hoskins / Getty Images
The five-time darts world champion Raymond van Barneveld wants to start professional again just nine months after retiring.
The 53-year-old Dutchman surprisingly announced his resignation on Wednesday evening on Instagram.
"We're doing it again! I miss it tremendously and will do my best to get my tour card as soon as possible so that I can perform on the big stages again in the future," wrote "Barney".
He signed his post, which he illustrated with a victory pose from the past, with the word "Comeback".
Van Barneveld was actually retired after the World Cup last December.
At that time, the long-time world-class player had judged himself: "If you lose two years in a row in the first round, then you are an amateur. Then you no longer belong in this game. I will do that to myself until the end of my life say."
The way back to the tour will be tough: "Barney" has to win a tour card against numerous rivals.
Only when this succeeds will he be admitted to the major tournaments.
Icon: The mirror
aha / dpa
