Michael van Gerwen wins third straight Players title
By Peter Gilbert
Last Updated: 28/11/16 7:38am
Michael van Gerwen crushed Dave Chisnall 11-3 to win the Players Championship Finals for a third straight year.
The Dutchman was in impressive form as he claimed his 25th tournament win of the year by picking up the £75,000 first prize in Minehead.
Sunday's victory saw Van Gerwen secure his third televised victory of the month adding to his success in the World Series of Darts Finals and Grand Slam of Darts.
Van Gerwen saw off compatriot Raymond van Barneveld 10-5 before battling past Darren Webster in the semi-finals.
Webster opened up a 6-0 lead but the world No 1 hit back and sealed his place in final with a 144 checkout.
Van Gerwen proved unstoppable in the final against Chinsall, who initially traded 13-darters to stay in touch at 3-2.
However, the reigning champion took five straight legs to move out to 8-2, including a ten-darter and legs of 12 and 13 darts, and though Chisnall responded to claim his third leg, further finishes of 13, 14 and 11 darts sealed the Dutchman's triumph.
"It's an amazing feeling for me and I'm a happy man," van Gerwen told pdc.tv. "It wasn't easy for me today and I had to work really hard, but I'm really glad that I won this trophy again.
"Darren gave me a scare and Dave had a chance to make it three-all, and Dave's a dangerous player but I punished him when he let me in.
"Going into the World Championship this is a big confidence boost for me. What I've done this year is phenomenal and I'm really proud of myself because nobody has won as many tournaments as this before."
Chisnall pocketed £35,000 as the runner-up after defeating Robbie Green and Peter Wright on Sunday, but he again missed out on claiming a televised title.
"I'm trying and I played quite well all week, but Michael did the business against me," said Chisnall. "I've had a good weekend and it's another step forward for me to reach the final but I'm determined to one day get that win."
Quarter-Finals
Christian Kist 6-10 Darren Webster
Michael van Gerwen 10-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Dave Chisnall 10-5 Robbie Green
Kim Huybrechts 9-10 Peter Wright
Best of 19 legs
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 11-8 Darren Webster
Peter Wright 8-11 Dave Chisnall
Best of 21 legs
Final
Michael van Gerwen 11-3 Peter Wright
Best of 21 legs
