Michael van Gerwen won the Queensland Darts Masters in Townsville, Australia on Saturday. Thanks to a nice comeback, the Dutchman was too strong for Gerwyn Price: 8-5.
The 33-year-old Van Gerwen and the four-year-older Gerwyn Price started the final uncomfortably and missed relatively many doubles. ‘Mighty Mike’ was well behind (1-4), but kept himself in the game with a 140 finish at 2-4.
It was the beginning of the end for Price, the number one in the world. Van Gerwen raised his average (99 against 89 for Price) and allowed the Welshman only one more leg. ‘Mighty Mike’, who made an impression at the end of July by winning the World Matchplay, earns 20,000 pounds (more than 23,000 euros) with his overall victory.
Van Gerwen didn’t have it easy on the way to the final, but did deal with Bailey Marsh (6-5), Haupai Puha (6-1) and Joe Cullen (7-5). Price defeated Damon Heta (6-5), Simon Whitlock (6-3) and Gordon Mathers (7-1) for his encounter with Van Gerwen.
The Queensland Masters is part of the World Series of Darts. Van Gerwen also made it to the final in New York at the beginning of June in the first tournament of this series, but then lost to Michael Smith. The past two editions in Copenhagen and Amsterdam were won by the Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh.
The World Series continues next week with the New South Wales Darts Masters in Wollongong, Australia. After that, another event is scheduled in Australia, before the World Series of Darts Finals in AFAS Live (September 16-18).