Michael van Gerwen puts his name back in the winner’s enclosure and picks up his first PDC ranking title since the 7th of May, 2023, in Players Championship 21 of the season in Wigan.

The Dutchman showed his class by saving his best performance till the final, defeating the in-form St Helens star Dave Chisnall 8-4 in the final, posting in an average just shy of 107 to end the drought.

His first round match of the day against Modus Super Series star Lee Cocks saw him edge through 6-4, averaging 91.95 in what was his worst performance of the day.

To van Gerwen’s credit he always finds a way to kick into gear when needed, which saw him average just shy of 100 in his next matches against Ryan Meikle and Karel Sedlacek. The three-time World Champion steamrolled to success by sealing convincing 6-2 and 6-3 victories, hitting high checkouts of 116 and 120 on the way.

His average regressed slightly in his last 16 match with James Wade, posting in a final average of 94.91, but displayed a moment of magic in the fifth leg which saw him break the throw with a stunning 10-dart leg. This monumental leg catapulted him into a 4-1 lead and despite Wade’s resilient efforts Van Gerwen got the better of him.

With the Dutchman through to the quarters, his next two games were against fellow countrymen Gian van Veen and Maik Kuivenhoven. 6-3 and 7-2 wins catapulted Van Gerwen through to another final, with the former number one displaying moments of brilliance.

In his match with Van Veen, Van Gerwen looked on a mission as he rattled off a 158 and 116 checkout in back-to-back legs and won every leg in 15-darts or less. His unquestionable ability on the oche provided yet another high outshot in the semi-finals, as the Dutchman checked out 157 to go one leg away from victory with a 12-dart leg.

In the final with Chisnall, he didn’t looked fazed in the slightest from the Englishman’s early pressure. Both players shared the opening four legs before Van Gerwen made an important 14-darter break of throw in leg five to lead 3-2, before following it up with a 13, 12, 12 and 14 dart leg. Van Gerwen’s stellar streak made things difficult for his opponent and Chisnall managed to throw two consecutive 13-darters, but Van Gerwen cleaned up in 18 darts to win.

Last 16

Dave Chisnall 6-1 Jonny Clayton

Stephen Bunting 6-5 Thibault Tricole

Damon Heta 6-3 Gerwyn Price

Ritchie Edhouse 6-3 Christian Kist

Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Luke Littler

Bejamin Reus 6-4 William O’Connor

Gian van Veen 6-5 Ian White

Michael van Gerwen 6-3 James Wade

Quarter-Finals

Dave Chisnall 6-2 Stephen Bunting

Ritchie Edhouse 6-5 Damon Heta

Maik Kuivenhoven 6-2 Benjamin Reus

Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Gian van Veen

Semi-Finals

Dave Chisnall 7-6 Ritchie Edhouse

Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Maik Kuivenhoven

Final

Michael van Gerwen 8-4 Dave Chisnall