Michael van Gerwen has opened his season in spectacular fashion, securing his first-ever Bahrain Darts Masters title. In a gripping final, ‘Mighty Mike’ overcame fellow Dutchman and rising star Gian van Veen 8-6. This victory marks Van Gerwen’s return to the winner’s circle, following a dominant tournament run where he defeated top players like Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price. The event also saw surprising early exits for world champions Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, adding to the drama in the Middle East.
A Historic Win in the Desert
The fourth edition of the Bahrain Darts Masters kicked off with eight top PDC players and eight Asian darters competing for the coveted title. Among the Dutch contingent were Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, and Danny Noppert, all making the journey to the Middle East.
Van Gerwen’s Path to Glory
Michael van Gerwen reached the final for the second time in his career, having previously been runner-up to Luke Littler when the young sensation claimed his maiden PDC title. This time, ‘Mighty Mike’ was unstoppable. He showcased dominant form throughout the two-day event, notably defeating Stephen Bunting 6-4 in the earlier rounds and overcoming ‘The Iceman’ Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the semi-finals, setting the stage for his championship bid.
Gian van Veen’s Impressive Run
Rising star Gian van Veen, now ranked as the new Dutch number one, also carved an impressive path to the final. His quarter-final clash against compatriot Danny Noppert was a highlight, a fantastic match where both players averaged over 104. Despite Noppert recording an even higher average of 106, it was only enough for one leg, as Van Veen powered to a 6-1 victory. He continued his stellar performance in the semi-finals, proving too strong for Nathan Aspinall with a 7-4 win, earning his spot in the final against Van Gerwen.
The Grand Finale: Van Gerwen vs. Van Veen
The final promised an exhilarating contest between two of the Netherlands’ finest, and it certainly delivered.
- Van Gerwen’s Dominant Start: ‘Mighty Mike’ burst out of the blocks, immediately taking control. With magnificent finishes of 83, 113, and 130, he swiftly built a formidable 3-0 lead. He then extended his advantage to 6-2, looking set to run away with the title.
- Van Veen’s Resilient Fightback: Showing incredible resilience, Van Veen refused to surrender. ‘GVV’ fought his way back into the match, hitting a crucial 13-darter and an 88-finish to narrow the gap significantly, bringing the score to a tense 6-5.
- Van Gerwen Seals the Deal: Van Gerwen, however, responded like a true champion. He hit his third 100+ finish of the match, a brilliant 103 checkout, to reach match point. Van Veen held his nerve with an 83-finish to win his own leg and stay in the match. But in the very next leg, Van Gerwen clinched his first title of the new season with a decisive 66-finish, securing an 8-6 victory and the Bahrain Darts Masters trophy.
Shocks and Surprises: Early Exits for Top Seeds
World Champions Stumble
The tournament also saw unexpected early departures for two of darts’ biggest names, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. Both world champions had started their campaigns in dominant fashion in the first round:
- Luke Littler showcased his immense talent by defeating the 71-year-old veteran Paul Lim 6-1, recording an impressive 106 average.
- Luke Humphries continued his strong record against Asian opponents, beating Abdulla Saeed 6-0 for the third consecutive year, finishing with a 103 average.
However, their journeys ended abruptly in the quarter-finals:
- Littler vs. Price: ‘The Nuke’ surprisingly fell 6-3 to Gerwyn Price, marking the end of Littler’s astonishing 22-match winning streak.
- Humphries vs. Aspinall: World number one Luke Humphries was undone by an in-form Nathan Aspinall. Despite taking an early 3-1 lead, Humphries watched as ‘The Asp’ rallied spectacularly, winning five consecutive legs to claim a surprising victory and send the reigning World Champion packing.
PDC Dominance in Round One
While the later rounds brought upsets, all PDC top players successfully navigated their opening matches. Even so, some were pushed hard. Motomu Sakai came close to causing a significant upset against Gerwyn Price but ultimately succumbed 6-4. Similarly, Nathan Aspinall (against Lourence Ilagan) and Michael van Gerwen (against Alexis Toylo) also secured their opening victories with solid 6-4 scores, laying the groundwork for what would be an unforgettable tournament.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
