Nov 26, 2023 at 11:19 PM Update: 3 hours ago
Michael van Gerwen missed the title at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead, England on Sunday. The Brabander lost in the final despite a nine-darter against Luke Humphries: 9-11.
The 34-year-old Van Gerwen and the six-year-younger Humphries initially kept pace. The Englishman started with a finish of 130, but his opponent was not impressed.
In the fifth leg, Van Gerwen hit a nine-darter. Via two 180 and 141, the three-time world champion recorded the perfect leg for the tenth time in his career. He last did this in September at the World Series of Darts Finals.
Van Gerwen then ran out to 7-4 and seemed to be on his way to the title. But Humphries fought back and took a 10-9 lead, including a finish of 142.
In a blood-curdling nineteenth leg, Van Gerwen missed no fewer than eight opportunities to get back on level terms. Humphries missed three match darts, but then struck on double-1.
NINE-DARTER FROM MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 🚨
Simply ridiculous. Simply sublime!
Michael van Gerwen hits the perfect leg to lead 3-2 in this incredible 2023 Players Championship Final! pic.twitter.com/0yh7HD23Wr
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 26, 2023
Van Gerwen won Players Championship Finals seven times
Van Gerwen won the Players Championship Finals last year. Also in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020 ‘Mighty Mike’ was the strongest in Minehead.
Earlier in the day, Van Gerwen won 11-6 against the German Gabriel Clemens in the semi-finals. He escaped elimination against Stephen Bunting in the last eight. The Dutchman fell behind 9-6, but eventually won 10-9.
Van Gerwen had impressed in the second round on Saturday by throwing the fifth highest average ever in a television tournament. In his match against Ross Smith he achieved an average of 118.52. Against Humphries, the number three in the world had to settle for an average of 103.19.
For the darts players, the Players Championship Finals was the last tournament before they play at the World Cup in London from December 15. The draw for the most important darts tournament of the year will take place on Monday evening.
2023-11-26 22:19:19
#Van #Gerwen #misses #Players #Championship #Finals #title #ninedart #finish #NU.nl
