MICHAEL VAN GERWEN admitted he had got through rough times after winning his third World Matchplay title.
The Dutchman had to produce an epic fightback to beat Gerwyn Price 18-14 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool last night.
Van Gerwen, 33, struggled on the doubles but eventually delivered a powerhouse finale to pick up the £200,000 prize.
In an emotional interview, he admitted: “This means the world to me, I’ve come through a difficult patch in my career and to come back against a player like Gerwyn can only make me proud.
“This is what darts wants. There was drama in the final, some phenomenal darts, good scoring and good finishing.
“I'm really proud of myself that I could hold my nerves together. I’m so happy, you don’t want to know!”
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Price roared into a 4-0 lead but Van Gerwen got a leg back and it was almost a perfect nine-darter, missing double 12 narrowly.
But, despite averaging 104 with finishes of 160 and 140, MVG had missed 19 darts at doubles and it was costing him big time as the Welshman kept the gap in front at 10-7.
It then got scrappy as nerves crept in and Van Gerwen finally drew level at 12-12.
But then the Dutchman timed his run to glory with precision. He hit a 130 to break Price’s throw to finally take the lead for the first time in the 29th leg at 15-14.
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Another quality 114 finish and MVG led 17-14 and wrapped it up with his fifth ton-plus finish 121.
Price, who picked up £100k, said: “I was lucky to 4-1 and 9-6 up. Michael is a fantastic player and when’s he on a roll like that, he’s hard to contain.
"He’s a deserved winner and a great friend.
“I’m proud of myself but it just didn’t happen for me today, I didn’t score at all.”
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