Michael Van Gerwen rolled back the years to remind everyone he’s still here claiming Players Championship 15 “Don’t write me off”
Michael Van Gerwen rolled back the years to remind everyone he’s still here claiming Players Championship 15 “Don’t write me off”
Michael van Gerwen ended over a year-long wait for a PDC ranking title in emphatic fashion on Tuesday, producing a series of vintage displays to capture Players Championship 15 in Leicester.
The Dutch superstar rolled back the years at the Mattioli Arena, culminating in a superb 8-5 victory over compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode in a high-quality final to secure his first ranking crown since April 2025.
Van Gerwen was at his devastating best throughout the latter stages of the tournament, averaging 106.57 in the final and showcasing the relentless scoring power and clinical finishing that defined his dominance at the peak of his career.
The three-time World Champion entered the final full of confidence after delivering one of the performances of the 2026 ProTour season in the semi-finals.
In a breathtaking display against German number one Martin Schindler, Van Gerwen reeled off seven consecutive legs to complete a whitewash victory with a staggering 122.34 average — the highest recorded on the ProTour circuit so far this year.
It was another reminder of the Dutchman’s enduring class, and his route to the title also featured impressive ton-plus averages against both Beau Greaves and Gian van Veen.
Van Gerwen overcame a spirited fightback from Van Veen before powering past Greaves 6-2 in the quarter-finals, maintaining his momentum heading into the business end of the tournament.
Despite his dominance later in the day, the 37-year-old was forced to work hard during the early rounds in Leicester. He opened his campaign with three battling 6-4 victories over Dennie Olde Kalter, Adam Lipscombe and Ross Smith respectively before finding top gear as the event progressed.
“At the beginning of the day I was struggling more with myself because I had the power in myself, but I played okay.
“I could have done a little bit more here and there and missed too many doubles. But the last three or four games I can’t complain.
“I played fantastic darts against Beau. Martin Schindler, I absolutely destroyed him. Then the final against Dirk, what a day.
“I’ve hit a big average before against Michael Smith in the Premier League but normally you need two good players to do that.
“Because the other player needs to win a leg and then you don’t get a shot on your doubles.
“So your average keeps getting high. But now I had to do it all myself, he only had two darts at a double.
“That gave me a really good feeling. For me, more importantly, after a very long time I won a ProTour today like this and it means a lot.
“I have been playing well the last couple of weeks with a couple of ton-plus averages.
“That is all part of the game. You have to keep your head going and believe in your own ability.
“I am playing good darts now so I don’t really care.”
The three-time world champion also praised Van Duijvenbode after their thrilling bout in the event showpiece.
He added: “I am proud of Dirk too because he is going through a tough time like me.
“For us to both be in the final is good for Dutch darts but we both really needed form for the rest of the year.
“The Premier League is waiting around the corner but for me ranking tournaments are the priority because of my ranking.
“I don’t set myself any targets because I don’t think I am in the position.
“But everyone knows what I am capable of so don’t write me off.”
Van Gerwen carried significant momentum into the final, having won 12 consecutive legs across his quarter-final and semi-final victories, and he immediately extended that streak by taking the opening three legs against Van Duijvenbode without reply.
However, Van Duijvenbode responded superbly to prevent the contest from becoming one-sided.
The 33-year-old produced a string of high-quality legs to win five of the next seven and level the match at 5-5, firing in legs of 14, 15, 13, 14 and 13 darts to pile pressure on his fellow Dutchman.
With the final finely poised, Van Gerwen once again found another gear.
The former world number one delivered back-to-back 11-dart legs to move within touching distance of the title before calmly pinning a 65 checkout on double four to complete the victory and finally return to the winner’s circle.
Although Van Duijvenbode narrowly missed out on what would have been his first Players Championship title in over three years, the Dutchman enjoyed an outstanding run to the final and collected the £10,000 runner-up prize.
He began the day with victories over Tytus Kanik, Niall Culleton and Darryl Pilgrim before producing a high-class performance to eliminate second seed Chris Dobey in a contest that saw both players average over 103.
Van Duijvenbode then defeated Premier League stars Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting to reach the final, showing tremendous resilience in the semi-finals by recovering from 3-0 down to stun Bunting.
Bunting himself impressed throughout the tournament, averaging 105 and 107 in victories over Gabriel Clemens and Andy Boulton on his way to a second ranking semi-final appearance of the season.
Schindler also continued his resurgence with a series of outstanding displays despite his heavy defeat to Van Gerwen in the last four.
The German ace averaged 113.79 in a brilliant win over Darius Labanauskas and followed that with an average approaching 106 in his victory against top seed Wessel Nijman in round four.
Remarkably, Schindler averaged over 108 in the semi-final against Van Gerwen but was denied even a dart at double as the Dutchman produced a relentless scoring barrage.
Elsewhere, Beau Greaves continued her excellent ProTour campaign by reaching her fourth quarter-final in just seven Players Championship events. The history-making Englishwoman claimed notable victories over Damon Heta and Dave Chisnall during another impressive run.
Fresh from his Austrian Darts Open triumph at the weekend, Josh Rock saw his campaign end in the quarter-finals, while 2024 European Champion Ritchie Edhouse and former Masters winner Joe Cullen also bowed out in the last eight.
German youngster Niko Springer was another player to catch the eye in Leicester, averaging 112.48 in his opening-round demolition of Christopher Wickenden and producing spectacular 128 and 134 finishes in the process.
Dobey, despite his eventual defeat to Van Duijvenbode, also delivered some exceptional darts earlier in the day, registering successive averages of 108.72 and 110.44.
Attention now quickly turns to Players Championship 16, which takes place in Leicester on Wednesday, with another £15,000 title up for grabs as the packed ProTour schedule continues.
Michael Van Gerwen rolled back the years to remind everyone he’s still here claiming Players Championship 15
2026 Players Championship Fifteen
Tuesday May 12
Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Last 16
Martin Schindler 6-5 Wessel Nijman
Ritchie Edhouse 6-2 Keane Barry
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Gian van Veen
Beau Greaves 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Chris Dobey
Josh Rock 6-5 Derek Coulson
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Andy Boulton
Joe Cullen 6-2 Kim Huybrechts
Quarter-Finals
Martin Schindler 6-2 Ritchie Edhouse
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Beau Greaves
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Josh Rock
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Joe Cullen
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 7-0 Martin Schindler
Dirk van Duijvenbode 7-5 Stephen Bunting
Final
Michael van Gerwen 8-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
