Untouchable Michael van Gerwen claimed a third successive Unibet European Championship title with a sensational 11-1 win over Austria's Mensur Suljovic at the Ethias Arena in Hasselt, Belgium.
The world number one followed up his 2016 successes in the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix in Dublin at the start of the month by claiming another huge triumph as he scooped the £100,000 first prize on Sunday night.
Having swept past fellow Dutchman Jelle Klaasen 10-3 in the quarter-finals, van Gerwen proved too strong for world number six James Wade in the semis as he came from 6-5 down to win 11-7.
He then produced an unstoppable display in the final with a master-class against Suljovic, who had knocked out Phil Taylor and Peter Wright to reach his first TV final before being blown away by the reigning champion.
MATCH STATS | Here are the numbers from that incredible @unibet European Championship final. #Unibet180 pic.twitter.com/hF8KNnjdcF
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 30, 2016
Van Gerwen's 111.62 average was the highest in a televised ranking final and a record in a European Championship decider as he claimed his 22nd win of a remarkable 2016 and a third in a row in the event.
"It's a brilliant win for me," said van Gerwen. "My finishing was fantastic, my scoring power was there and I did everything that I had to at the right moments.
"Mensur is the most underestimated player in the PDC, I think, and he's a top class player. This was his first final but he is someone we have to look out for.
"I'm really glad that I've won this trophy for the third time in a row, it's absolutely amazing.
"It's a long day and you have three games, and you can't afford any mistakes. I knew earlier on that I had more in the tank and I'm glad that I produced it in the final.
"It was incredible. I played absolutely phenomenally in the final - everything I wanted went in and I'm absolutely over the moon. I'm feeling great about this performance.
"It's special because I've won this tournament three times in a row. I only live an hour away from here and I had a lot of supporters in the crowd - I feel absolutely great."
WINNER! Michael van Gerwen is the @Unibet European Champion 2016! #Unibet180 pic.twitter.com/WcazRx2ggM
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 30, 2016
Van Gerwen's biggest scare during the tournament came in the first round, when Simon Whitlock missed one dart - at double 15 for a 150 finish - to claim victory in a dramatic deciding leg on Friday.
He added: "Simon is a guy who's in form and I didn't play my best game, but after that first round I was comfortable all the way to the final.
"I want to keep this form going now because there are big tournaments coming up every weekend now."
Van Gerwen opened the final with a 174 score and claimed the opening two legs before double nine gave Suljovic a leg, but the Austrian had little answer as his rival pulled clear.
Twice van Gerwen broke with 12-darters, including two 180s in one leg and a 110 finish to follow a 174 score in another, before also taking out 157 as he moved 7-1 up.
After finishing 72, he punished two missed doubles from Suljovic to move 9-1 up for posting double 16 and double nine to complete the rout with a 111.62 average as he completed a brilliant hat-trick of European Championship wins.
Suljovic moves up to seventh in the PDC Order of Merit after winning £40,000 in prize money, as well as producing the performance of his career to defeat Taylor in the quarter-finals with a sensational display.
"I'm not disappointed - I'm happy to have made it to the final and I gave it my best," said Suljovic. "I knew I had to play my idol Phil Taylor but I'm happy to have come so far."
