Best of the World Grand Prix: Michael van Gerwen rules again in Dublin
Shocks, high drama, brilliant finishing and a winning machine...
Monday 10 October 2016 22:21, UK
Another major PDC world ranking event has come and gone with world No 1 Michael van Gerwen ruling planet darts once again.
An exhilarating week at Dublin's Citywest Hotel saw the Dutch ace land his third Grand Prix title and 21st tournament victory of a trophy-laden 2016.
Seeded players were dropping like flies during the opening few rounds with shocks galore, but in the end, it was the 'Green Machine' who proved to be the best in the business.
Here, we pick out some of the best moments from the tournament and its unique double-start format.
Champions exit
Reigning champion Robert Thornton and two-time winner James Wade crashed out on an opening night of high drama in Dublin.
Thornton lost out over three sets to former Lakeside Champion Stephen Bunting who battled back from a set down to take victory.
Aldershot thrower Wade also exited as he lost in the deciding leg of his three-set contest with Terry Jenkins in a repeat of the 2007 final.
Power turned off
Phil Taylor headed to the Emerald Isle in buoyant mood having won the Champions League of Darts event in Cardiff. The 11-time World Grand Prix winner was up against Dublin debutant Steve West, but even before their clash the venue suffered a power cut - forcing a 20 minute delay.
Waltham Abbey's West was a leg away from defeat but a 101 checkout helped him win the set before claiming the decider 3-1 to inflict a massive shock.
"I'm gobsmacked," said the world No 52. "Phil's an absolute legend and no one can express what he's done for this game - it's an honour to play him even, and to beat him is unreal."
Brilliant Barney
Two-time World Grand Prix finalist Raymond van Barneveld seemed to be rediscovering his best form just in time as he took on 'Jackpot' Adrian Lewis in a sizzling early showdown.
Barney punished his opponent with some accurate darts to win in straight sets much to the surprise of an expectant crowd.
"I felt comfortable and I was never nervous, and tonight was my night," said Van Barneveld, who impressed with a 97.90 average.
Wizardry arrows
In arguably the match of the tournament, Simon Whitlock rekindled his old form to battle it out with Alan Norris in a thrilling contest.
Norris hit back from two sets down to level, before taking a 2-1 lead in the fifth set. But Whitlock followed a 180 with his second 150 checkout of the game to force a sudden-death deciding leg, which he won with an incredible 10-darter to book a last eight spot.
Magical MVG
Van Gerwen continued his charge towards the £100,000 title by averaging 103 in a classy 3-1 victory over Whitlock in the quarter-finals.
The 27-year-old then fought back to beat Dave Chisnall to reach his fourth Dublin final in five years.
With high hopes of a blockbuster final with World Champion Gary Anderson it was the flying Dutchman who claimed the glory to make it a treble at the double in-double out format.
He was averaging 108 by the time he stormed into a three-set lead and despite a spirited fightback, Van Gerwen got the job done with a stupendous 160 checkout to seal a 5-2.
