Michael van Gerwen back to winning ways after nightmare World Grand Prix at Players Championship 27
Michael van Gerwen back to winning ways after nightmare World Grand Prix at Players Championship 27
At Players Championship 27, Michael van Gerwen defeated long-time rival Gerwyn Price 8–4 on Tuesday to get back to winning ways in Wigan.
Seven days after losing to Daryl Gurney in a humiliating whitewash at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, Van Gerwen triumphed in front of a star-studded pitch of 128 players at Wigan’s Robin Park Leisure Centre.
Following wins at the Players Championship 21 and the Hungarian Darts Trophy last month, the 35-year-old’s World Grand Prix campaign was also hindered by illness.
To join Luke Littler, Damon Heta, Chris Dobey, and Gary Anderson in winning three Players Championship championships in 2024, the Dutchman recovered to win his third PDC ranking title in as many months.
“I was away for three weeks with different problems [illnesses],” recalled Van Gerwen, who survived match darts in three matches throughout the afternoon.
“It is frustrating but it is what it is. Sometimes health comes first, and I’m glad I won today.
“My energy levels have to be a little bit better, but overall I can’t complain, because these ProTours are very difficult, especially when you’ve already been doing this for 18 or 19 years.
“I have played this game for a long time, but I love it. I love what I do, and I think that’s the key.
“I am still able to keep myself motivated for the next tournaments, and you need to keep battling and keep fighting.”
In a rematch of their World Championship quarterfinal on New Year’s Day, Van Gerwen defeated Scott Williams in the deciding leg after defeating Dylan Slevin in the first round.
Van Gerwen then defeated Luke Woodhouse and Jonny Clayton in last-leg shootouts after defeating James Wade 6-2. He came back from a 5-2 deficit to defeat Clayton.
In the semi-finals, this set up an all-Dutch matchup with Wessel Nijman, but Van Gerwen was too strong for his younger countryman, winning five straight legs to advance to a matchup with Price.
In Tuesday’s highlight match, the Welshman took the lead early on, taking 2-0 and 3-2 leads until Van Gerwen’s incredible combo finishing changed the tide.
The three-time world champion finished a clinical performance by dismissing Price’s 12-darter in the penultimate leg after converting 88, 72, 142, and 112 checkouts to take a commanding 6-3 lead.
But Price also had a pleasant comeback in Wigan, recording three tonnes or more every game to reach his first Players Championship final since November 2023.
The 2021 World Champion defeated Thibault Tricole and Robert Owen 6-1 to start the match, and he followed that up with ton-topping averages to defeat Madars Razma and James Hurrell.
Price then pulled off three straight legs to defeat Ryan Searle 7-4 in the semi-finals, defying Damon Heta’s 104 average to finish with a resounding 6-1 victory.
After delivering a nine-darter against Jermaine Wattimena in round three, Searle averaged 106 in his quarterfinal thumping of Keane Barry and took out Rob Cross on his way to the final four.
Searle’s flawless leg was the 47th nine-darter to land on the PDC tour in 2024, setting a new record. He overcame a 5-4 deficit to win with a 104 average thanks to his nine-darter exploits.
Searle was joined in the semi-finals by Dutch sensation Nijman, but a ruthless Van Gerwen stopped his attempt to capture a second Players Championship championship in as many weeks.
In addition to defeating veteran trio Danny Noppert, Martin Schindler, and Stephen Bunting, Nijman, who won seven Development Tour titles in 2024, thrashed Berry van Peer in the opening round with an average of 113.50.
Bunting had to settle for a quarterfinal performance alongside Clayton, Heta, and Irish prodigy Barry, as he was hoping to advance to his fourth consecutive ProTour final.
Nine-Darter!
Ryan Searle hit a nine-darter in his third round tie against Jermaine Wattimena.
Michael van Gerwen back to winning ways after nightmare World Grand Prix at Players Championship 27
Tuesday October 15
Robin Park Leisure Centre, Wigan
Last 16
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Madars Razma
Damon Heta 6-2 Luke Humphries
Ryan Searle 6-4 Rob Cross
Keane Barry 6-5 Chris Dobey
Jonny Clayton 6-0 Lee Cocks
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Luke Woodhouse
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Daryl Gurney
Wessel Nijman 6-1 Martin Schindler
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 6-1 Damon Heta
Ryan Searle 6-1 Keane Barry
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Jonny Clayton
Wessel Nijman 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Semi-Finals
Gerwyn Price 7-4 Ryan Searle
Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Wessel Nijman
Final
Michael van Gerwen 8-4 Gerwyn Price
