Van Gerwen wins Premier League from underdog role: ‘Absolutely the best today’ | Darts

“It’s great to win here in these conditions,” Van Gerwen said after the award ceremony via play. “We all know I wasn’t the favorite when I started here, but today I showed that I was absolutely the best.”

Van Gerwen had a difficult run-up to the Premier League final night. He was struggling with complaints to his shoulder, while his opponent Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith have won each other in recent weeks.

“I just played two fantastic games against two guys who are in exceptional form,” said Van Gerwen. “They’ve been doing almost nothing but winning in recent weeks. But these are the nights you have to strike and I’m very glad I did.”

Van Gerwen won his seventh Premier League title in London, but it still meant a lot to him. “I’m away from home like 16-17 weeks a year for this Premier League alone,” he said. “If you then win the tournament, it’s very nice.”

With seven titles, Van Gerwen is now the record holder of the tournament. Until Thursday, De Brabander, who was also the best in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, shared the record with Phil Taylor. “I knew that”, Van Gerwen answered wittily.

“I knew that the record would come at some point. Only that it could be this way tonight, that is extra nice. It is a reward for the hard work that I do. I am a proud man,” said Van Gerwen, who due to his victory, he can add 275,000 pounds (more than 317,000 euros).