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Michael van Gerwen ended his winless run at the Players Championship 15 in Leicester on the PDC ProTour with an impressive display as he defeated compatriot Dirk van Duyvenbode 8-5 in Tuesday’s final.
Van Gerwen, who is fighting for a place in the Premier League Darts play-offs, produced some of his best darts to win his first ProTour title since October 2024.
The 37-year-old said the win “means a lot” and is also looking ahead to Thursday when he plays Garwin Price in the Premier League Darts in Birmingham, live on Sky SportsThat will be crucial for him to reach the top four and qualify for the final night in London.
“Everyone knows I’m capable, so don’t write me off,” Van Gerwen said.
“I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. I’ve done that, but now that I can, I’m enjoying what I do, so I think that’s the next thing.”
Michael van Gerwen hasn’t won on the ProTour for 19 months
Van Gerwen started the day with successive 6-4 wins over Denny Olde Kalte, Adam Lipscomb, 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 pulled away and began an incredible run of form that continued throughout the day as he defeated Greaves 6-2.
In the semi-finals, Van Gerwen’s average of 122.34 – the biggest of the day – whitewashed Germany’s Martin Schindler 7-0, who averaged 108.78.
He led 3-0 at that high level in the final but van Duyvenbode came back to gorge to make it 4-4. However, van Gerwen pulled away once again to claim his 37th career ProTour title with a hat-trick at 5-5.
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Michael van Gerwen pranked by Emma Patton and Mark Webster – Picture: @paddypower
“At the beginning of the day I was struggling. I played OK but I could have done more here and there. I missed a lot of doubles,” he said.
“The last three or four matches I can’t complain. I played some great darts, even against Beau, I destroyed Martin, then the final against Dirk, what a day!”
Van Duyvenbode beat Stephen Bunting 7-5 in his semi-final and Josh Rock 6-3 in his quarter-final as he also returned to good form.
Wessel Nijman, who has won five Players Championships this year, lost 6-5 to Schindler in the last 16, while Jonny Clayton’s day ended with a 6-5 loss to Dave Chisnall in the last 32.
Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price were among those not entered in the event.
Players Championship 15 Selected Results – Leicester
Last 16
Martin Schindler 6-5 Wessel Nijman
Richie Edhouse 6-2 Keen Barry
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Gian van Veen
Beau Greaves 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Dirk van Duyvenbode 6-4 Chris Dobe
Josh Rock 6-5 Derek Coulson
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Andy Bolton
Joe Cullen 6-2 Kim Huibrechts
Quarter-final
Martin Schindler 6-2 Richie Edhaus
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Beau Greaves
Dirk van Duyvenbode 6-3 Josh Rock
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Joe Cullen
semi-final
Michael van Gerwen 7-0 Martin Schindler
Dirk van Duyvenbod 7-5 Stephen Bunting
the final
Michael van Gerwen 8-5 Dirk van Duyvenbod
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