Michael van Gerwen won his third Unibet World Grand Prix title at Citywest in Dublin, beating world champion Gary Anderson 5-2 in the final.
The current world number one, winner of this PDC major in 2012 and 2014, averaged 100.29, a record for the final of the double-start format, on his way to the €100,000 prize.
Dutchman van Gerwen raced into a 3-0 lead but the Scot hit back to claim the fourth set.
It wasn’t to be the start of a comeback, however, as MVG, the current Premier League champion, refused to let up on the high standard he set on the way to the final with victories over Steve Beaton, James Wilson, Simon Whitlock and Dave Chisnall.
Back-to-back world champ Anderson managed to get back to 4-2 but van Gerwen, beaten in last year’s final, took out a 160 finish to claim the seventh set, and in doing so won his 21st tournament of the year.
WHAT A FINISH FROM @MvG180!@MvG180 is the 2016 Unibet World Grand Prix Champion#Unibet180 pic.twitter.com/RWQWJtuOXt
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 8, 2016
It's an amazing win and I'm so happy I've won this tournament again," said the 27-year-old.
"Everything has been great for me in this tournament and I also played fantastic darts.
"After three or four sets I was averaging about 108 and I think if you play like that you deserve to win this trophy. I put him under pressure from the beginning and that worked.
"He pushed me until the end and I had to fight really hard. Gary never gives up but I played fantastic tonight.
"A lot of people have played well against me this week but my confidence is sky high. I had a tournament average of 100 and not many people do that in this format."
LONDON CALLING | Mick McGowan will be at Ally Pally after his Irish Matchplay win in Dublin! pic.twitter.com/EmwTG9hUrG
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 8, 2016
Earlier, Balbriggan’s Mick McGowan earned himself a place in the World Championships as he beat Radek Szaganski 6-5 to retain the Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay Final.
The result is good enough to see McGowan into the preliminary round of darts’ showpiece event in December in London.
He said: "This year I've had a number of performances on stage and I've been getting better and better. This was a bit nervy but I got the job done."
WINNERS INTERVIEW | We talk to @MvG180 backstage as he comes off stage after winning the 2016 Unibet World Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/E5bL7BcoP0
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 8, 2016
