The Dutchman had defeated Joe Cullen in the semi-finals with no less than 6-1. He had started the evening with a harder fought victory over James Wade: 6-5. A week earlier, Van Gerwen was also the strongest in Exeter. Then he defeated Peter Wright in the final battle. That was the first ‘tournament win’ for Van Gerwen this year.
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Van Gerwen dealt with Smith in a fine final. The Dutchman produced almost 104 average and threw in six of his seventeen doubles. Smith also threw above 100 average. Smith lost the final of the UK Open to Danny Noppert last Sunday.
Van Gerwen leads the dance in the prestigious darts competition after five rounds. The 32-year-old from Brabant has four points more than the numbers 2, Peter Wright and Jonny Clayton. Van Gerwen triumphed in 2013 and from 2016 to 2019 in the Premier League. Only Phil Taylor did better with six overall wins.