Mardle predicts Van Gerwen to claim third World title: ‘I've convinced myself there is no other outcome‘

Ahead of the PDC World Darts Championship beginning on Thursday, Wayne Mardle has weighed in with his predictions on a winner and a potential dark horse.

’Hawaii 501’ when asked who he thought would win said that he has convinced himself that Michael van Gerwen will be the champion.
“I'm quietly confident in Michael van Gerwen for some reason. He's the best player on the planet when everyone just plays their game and I think he's probably the only player in the tournament who doesn't have to be at this best to win. I've convinced myself there is no other outcome.” said ‘Hawaii 501’.

“He's not been great in majors, let's be honest, but when he's played decent no one has got near him and there are just patches of brilliance that he does that only Gary Anderson can match. They will meet in the semi-final and for me, Michael wins and he then goes on and wins it.”

Dark horse

On his dark horse, Mardle sees Gerwyn Price as being the player who could carve his way through similar to his Grand Slam run.

“My dark horse is actually Gerwyn Price because I've seen him a couple of times in exhibitions since the Grand Slam of Darts and he has clearly gone up a level. The way he is throwing, it's the best he's ever thrown.

“He's got that belief, he knows that he's got the game to win now and just importantly people know he has got the game to win. It's not just a matter of opinion, it's an absolute fact.”

Click here for more information about the PDC World Darts Championship, including schedules and the prize fund breakdown.