Mighty Mike’s Majestic Return: Van Gerwen Dominates Bahrain Darts Masters!
Michael van Gerwen has once again proven why he’s a darts legend, securing his 17th World Series title at the Bahrain Darts Masters. In a thrilling tournament marked by significant upsets, ‘Mighty Mike’ overcame fellow Dutchman Gian van Veen in the final, delivering a commanding performance. The event also saw Gerwyn Price end Luke Littler’s impressive 21-match winning streak and Nathan Aspinall stun world No. 2 Luke Humphries. This victory marks Van Gerwen’s triumphant return to the top, showcasing his enduring class and setting the stage for more excitement in the darts world.
The Comeback King: Van Gerwen’s Path to Glory
In his 50th World Series appearance, Michael van Gerwen clinched his 17th title, a testament to his consistent brilliance. His journey to the top in Bahrain was far from easy, as he had to overcome formidable opponents including defending champion Stephen Bunting and former world champion Gerwyn Price.
- Quarter-Final vs. Stephen Bunting: ‘Mighty Mike’ faced a tough challenge against ‘The Bullet’. Bunting started strong, taking a 2-0 lead. However, Van Gerwen clawed his way back, leveling at 2-2 with a 14-darter and then taking the lead. Despite missing crucial match darts, Van Gerwen eventually secured a hard-fought 6-4 victory, setting up a semi-final clash.
- Semi-Final vs. Gerwyn Price: Van Gerwen delivered a dominant performance against ‘The Iceman’, who had just defeated Luke Littler. Van Gerwen established an early lead and, despite Price’s efforts, never looked back. He sealed a convincing 7-2 win, demonstrating his top form and securing his spot in the final.
Major Upsets Shake the Tournament
The Bahrain Darts Masters was not without its surprises, as some of the sport’s biggest names faced unexpected defeats.
- Littler’s Streak Ends: Price Prevails: The highly anticipated match between teenage sensation Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price delivered a stunning result. Price, who had been denied a quarter-final clash with Littler at the PDC World Championship, delivered a masterclass, defeating Littler 6-2. This victory notably ended Littler’s remarkable 21-match winning streak, a significant moment in the tournament.
- World No. 2 Falls: Aspinall Downs Humphries: In another major upset, Nathan Aspinall eliminated the reigning world champion and world No. 2, Luke Humphries. Humphries started strong, taking a 3-1 lead, but ‘The Asp’ fought back valiantly, winning five consecutive legs to secure a 6-3 victory and advance to the semi-finals.
Gian van Veen’s Stellar Journey to the Final
Emerging talent Gian van Veen, the current PDC World Championship runner-up, showcased his immense potential by reaching his first World Series final.
- Quarter-Final vs. Danny Noppert: Van Veen dominated his fellow countryman Danny Noppert with an impressive 6-1 victory. Remarkably, the match was interrupted by a power outage during the fifth leg, but Van Veen remained unfazed, maintaining his high average and securing a decisive win.
- Semi-Final vs. Nathan Aspinall: Continuing his excellent form, Van Veen faced Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals. After a closely contested start, Van Veen pulled ahead with crucial finishes, including a brilliant 121 checkout. He ultimately defeated Aspinall 7-4, earning his spot in the championship match.
The Grand Finale: Van Gerwen vs. Van Veen
The final saw two Dutch titans, Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen, battle for the Bahrain Darts Masters crown. It was a captivating contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Van Gerwen started strongly, breaking Van Veen immediately with a superb 130 bullseye finish after Van Veen missed three doubles. ‘Mighty Mike’ quickly extended his lead, but Van Veen showed incredible resilience, fighting back from a significant deficit. Under immense pressure, with Van Veen closing in, Van Gerwen produced a clutch 103 checkout to reach 7-6. He then held his throw with a 66 finish in 14 darts to seal an 8-6 victory and claim his 17th World Series title.
Tournament Format and Prize Money
The Bahrain Darts Masters featured a progressive leg format and a substantial prize fund:
Match Formats:
- First Round: Best of 11 Legs
- Quarter-Finals: Best of 11 Legs
- Semi-Finals: Best of 13 Legs
- Final: Best of 15 Legs
Prize Money & World Series Points:
A total of £100,000 was distributed, with points also awarded towards the World Series of Darts Rankings, which determine qualification for the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. Note that prize money does not count towards the PDC Order of Merit (world rankings).
- Winner: £30,000 (12 points)
- Runner-Up: £16,000 (8 points)
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000 (5 points)
- Quarter-Finalists: £5,000 (3 points)
- First Round: £1,750 (1 point)
What’s Next for Darts?
The World Series of Darts action continues shortly after the Bahrain event. Darts fans can look forward to the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters in Riyadh, promising more thrilling competition and high-stakes matches.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
