Phil Taylor won a seventh consecutive final against Raymond van Barneveld to claim the RTL7 International Masters in Holland.
Taylor still in dominant form when capturing new title in Holland
As they renewed their old rivalry in Holland, Phil Taylor pulled out all the stops to record the highest ever TV final average to beat Raymond van Barneveld in the RTL7 International Masters final.
'The Power' recorded a three-dart average of 113.6 to beat his old rival Barney 8-3 at the Hotel Zuiderduin and claim the €20,000 first prize with the highest televised final average ever.
Only in one winning leg did Taylor take more than 14 darts to checkout in the final, and that sort of form would beat anyone on the circuit and was very much needed against a resurgent Dutchman.
Barney did well to hang in there, taking the opening leg before Taylor hit two 11-darters and a 14-darter to go 3-1 up - Barney claimed another leg but could never get closer than 3-2.
Taylor hit seven 180s during the match and signed off with a 13-darter to claim yet another trophy and confirm he is right back on song after struggling at the start of the year.
Delighted
"I'm delighted to have won," said Taylor. "To play Raymond in a final in Holland's a huge honour and I enjoyed it because he brings the best out of me.
"Since I returned to using the darts I did so well with last year I've been really pleased with my form and it showed again here.
"The key leg was the sixth when Raymond missed two darts to take out 98, and after that I dug in and got the job done. I've really enjoyed the tournament and it's a great way to finish."
Taylor went 3-2 behind in his semi-final against Gary Anderson before coming through 8-4, but his average was down to 95 before he raised his game for the final.
Taylor went unbeaten through the group stages in Holland, beating Terry Jenkins and Adrian Lewis, before seeing-off James Wade in the quarter-finals and Anderson in the semis.
Van Barneveld had averaged 102 when he put away Vincent van der Voort 8-2 in a brilliant semi-final performance, but he again fell short against his big rival Taylor.
Since winning the 2007 World Championship final, one of the best ever seen, Barney has now lost in seven consecutive final appearances to Taylor.
'The Power' has looked his old self ever since returning to using the old darts he did so well with, and now defeats in the World Championship and early in the Premier League look like just another minor blip.
