Luke Littler says it’s good to have Michael van Gerwen back at his best after the Dutchman won the World Series with an 11-7 victory over the Nuke. Van Gerwen ended his two-year wait for a PDC Premier title at Amsterdam’s AFAS Live on Sunday night.
A World Series of Darts Finals champion five times previously, this was MVG’s first TV tournament title since the 2023 version of the same event. The emotions poured out of the Green Machine on stage afterwards after having seen off compatriot Wessel Nijman, Rob Cross, Luke Humphries, Josh Rock and Littler across the weekend on his way to glory.
Defeated runner-up Littler showed his class as he said to ITV Sport: “It was another good tournament for myself. I said to Michael he played some of his best darts. It’s good to see him back. If he keeps playing like that, there are going to be some good battles.
“The fans wanted Michael to win this and he’s been playing the best darts this weekend.” And three-time world champion Van Gerwen said while next to his daughter Zoe: “I have goosebumps. It’s amazing to hold a trophy again.
“Everyone knows I’ve had a difficult time in the last few months, but to win in front of my home crowd means a lot to me. I was playing some fantastic darts, and that gives you energy, that gives you joy.
“I’m really glad I could perform like this. It means the world to me. I had to dig really deep to do this. I still love what I do, and hopefully this is the beginning of a bright future for me.”
Reigning world champion Littler had been looking to make it back-to-back World Series triumphs and fought back from 9-5 down to beat Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals before losing to home favourite Van Gerwen.
Van Gerwen scoops an £80,000 top prize from the 32-player event after checking out on a 130 with two treble 20s and a double 5 to secure a long-awaited TV title.