At the World Matchplay 2012, Michael van Gerwen threw his first nine-darter at the PDC. The current number one in the world produced his perfect leg in his second round game against Steve Beaton. This was probably one of the main precursors to showing the quality that Van Gerwen can produce which was followed by a run of major titles and many more nine darters in the years that have followed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SevzhZIkeUY