Michael van Gerwen storms to first PDC ranking title in 12 months as Dutchman hits outrageous 122 average

Michael van Gerwen produced a sensational 122.34 average en-route to securing his first PDC ranking event win in over 12 months at the Players Championship 15 event on Tuesday.

The Dutchman finally ended his long wait for silverware with an 8-5 triumph over Dutch compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode in the Mattioli Arena final as he got his hands on silverware for the first time since April 2025.

The three-time World Darts Championship winner capped off a sensational tournament with a 106.57 average to topple Van Duijvenbode, having produced an ever more balmy 123 average in his semi-final whitewash win over Martin Schindler.

His average was the highest on the ProTour circuit this calendar year, and helps tee Van Gerwen up perfectly for the continuation of the Premier League on Thursday when he faces Gerwyn Price in a high-stakes showdown as the pair battle for a spot at Finals Night later this month.

Whilst MVG's attentions will now turn towards Birmingham tomorrow night, he says that his mind was only focussed on one thing in Leicester, ending his 13-month long ranking title drought.

"For me, it’s more important after a long time that I managed to win a ProTour today. It means a lot," he told the PDC.

"I believe in my own ability, and I think I’m playing some good darts.

- Michael van Gerwen (PDC)

"The Premier League is waiting around the corner as well, but for me at the moment the ranking tournaments are really important.

"I love what I do, and especially when I play like this, I love it even more."

Van Gerwen's route to the final was far from straightforward, with the 37-year-old having to overcome the likes of Ross Smith, Beau Greaves, Gian van Veen and Schindler to book his spot in the decider, where he met his long-time friend.

"I’m quite proud of Dirk. He’s going through a tough time probably like me, so to have both of us in the final is good for Dutch darts," he went on to say.

"We both really needed it also for our form and the rest of the year. To beat him in a fantastic game like this, it’s nice."

Following a stellar day of action in Leicester, this week’s ProTour double-header concludes with Players Championship 16 on Wednesday, as 128 players compete for the £15,000 top prize.

Play will commence from 13:00 (BST), with coverage from four boards set to be streamed at bet365 and on PDCTV.