Van Gerwen started superbly with two 14-darters and a 13-dart leg for a 3-0 lead in the final against Whitlock. A fantastic 137 dart-leg and 11-darter brought him to 5-0, while averaging 116.
The 29-year-old, who turns 30 on Thursday, didn't manage to keep this level after a poor sixth leg. Whitlock came back to 6-3, before Van Gerwen moved one leg away from victory with another 14-dart leg. The world number one then took 65 to land the title in Munich after beating Krzysztof Ratajski, Stephen Bunting, Ted Evetts and Rob Cross as well en route to the final.
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Michael Van Gerwen (91.92) 6-5 (96.62) Ted Evetts
Rob Cross (105.28) 6-5 (96.60) Mensur Suljovic
Karel Sedlacek (89.70) 5-6 (91.34) Max Hopp
Joe Cullen (87.16) 1-6 (92.36) Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen (93.81) 7-1 (89.23) Rob Cross
Max Hopp (92.51) 6-7 (90.50) Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen (106.45) 8-3 (94.38) Simon Whitlock
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