Gerwyn Price claimed glory in the bwin World Series of Darts Finals after an outstanding day in Salzburg which culminated in an 11-9 comeback victory over Rob Cross in Sunday's decider.
The Welshman scooped the £70,000 title and a third televised triumph of his career in style to cap a brilliant week on the continent as fans returned to PDC events for the first time in six months.
Price had won two Players Championship events in midweek in Germany, and extended his winning streak to 17 matches as he followed up Saturday's defeat of Vincent van der Voort with an brilliant display on Sunday.
He survived a missed match dart from Nathan Aspinall in the deciding leg of a thrilling quarter-final, before then defeating Peter Wright 11-6 in a semi-final of the highest quality.
World Champion Wright averaged 108 and produced six winning legs of between 11 and 13 darts, but Price proved too strong for the Scot as he moved into the final.
After Cross opened with a 144 finish, Price took out legs of 11, 12 and 13 darts - including a 128 checkout - as he moved 3-2 up, only to see the Hastings ace assume control with three straight legs.
Price responded in leg nine, but Cross took another three legs as a 110 checkout moved him 8-4 up with only four missed darts at a double.
The Welshman, though, kick-started his comeback with finishes of 74 and 79, and after Cross took out 100 it was Price who levelled by taking out 74 once again in leg 18.
Cross' miss at the bullseye allowed Price to regain the lead - for the first time since leg five - by pinning a third-dart double five in leg 19, before hitting tops to complete a superb victory.
"I'm really happy and a bit relieved," admitted Price. "From 8-4 down I'm proud of myself, to dig deep once again like I have in a few games over the last couple of weeks.
"Early on in the final I thought I was playing brilliant - I should have been at least 4-1 up but I knew that Rob was going to come out firing and when he banged in that 144 I knew I was in for a tough game.
"In the middle part of the game I was beating myself up and let Rob get in front, but I stuck in there until the end and got over the winning line.
"I never give up any more and I always believe that as long as there's one leg to go I can still win, and I stuck in there until the end.
"I'm playing well, practising well and giving 100 percent every single time. Whoever's going to beat me is going to have to play really well and take their chances, because if not then I will.
"I'm looking forward to the European Tour next week and the World Grand Prix after that, and obviously I've got one eye on the World Championship.
"I wouldn't say I'm the best player in the world now, but I believe that my A-game is better than anybody else's. That's all that matters, I'm confident with my own game."
