Michael van Gerwen ended his winless run on the PDC ProTour with an impressive display at the Players Championship 15 in Leicester as he beat compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode 8-5 in Tuesday’s final.
Van Gerwen, who is fighting to get into the Premier League Darts playoffs, produced some of his best darts to win his first ProTour title since October 2024.
The 37-year-old says victory “means a lot” and also has an eye on Thursday when he plays Gerwyn Price in the Premier League Darts in Birmingham, live on Sky Sports, which will be crucial in his hopes to get in the top four and qualify for finals night in London.
“Everyone knows I’m capable, so don’t write me off,” said Van Gerwen.
“I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I’ve done that bit, but now it’s just when I can, I’m enjoying what I do, so I think that’s the next thing forward.”
Michael van Gerwen had not won on the ProTour for 19 months
Van Gerwen started off the day with successive 6-4 wins over Dennie Olde Kalte, Adam Lipscombe, Ross Smith and Gian van Veen to set up a quarter-final clash against Beau Greaves.
The pair shared the opening four legs before Van Gerwen romped away and began an incredible run of form that lasted for the rest of the day as he beat Greaves 6-2.
In the semi-finals, Van Gerwen averaged 122.34 – the biggest of the day – in a 7-0 whitewash over Germany’s Martin Schindler, who averaged 108.78 himself.
He continued that high level in the final to take an early 3-0 lead but Van Duijvenbode came roaring back to make it 4-4. However, Van Gerwen moved away again by winning a hat-trick of legs from 5-5 to claim a 37th career ProTour title.
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Watch the BTS of the hilarious wind-up, as Michael van Gerwen is pranked by Emma Paton and Mark Webster ahead of the World Championship. Pictures: @paddypower
“At the beginning of the day I was struggling. I played OK but I could have done more here and there. I missed too many doubles,” he said.
“The last three or four games I can’t complain. I played some fantastic darts, even against Beau, I destroyed Martin, then the final against Dirk, what a day!”
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Watch the action every single Thursday until finals night in London on May 28 on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
