Gary Anderson will head into the World Grand Prix in Leicester next week with a second PDC ranking title of the season after a superb showing of form in recent days in Barnsley. He claimed Players Championship 24 with an 8-4 win over Ryan Joyce.
Sealing it with a 103.7 average and 66% on the doubles, Anderson was in his fourth final of the year and will no doubt be confident of his chances heading into the double in double out format next week.
Anderson averted an early break scare to take the lead. Joyce missed hold chances and Anderson pinned 108 to break and go 2-0 up. He soon went 3-0 up.
Joyce hit 124 to finally get on the board at 3-1 down. But Anderson went half way to victory at 4-1. He had opportunities to go 5-1 up but instead was left frustrated as he went 4-2 up. He finally got to five on double 20 and was three away from the win.
Anderson broke again with a 145 to go 6-2 up. He was sat on double 10 to go one away and Joyce hit a superb 142 to go 6-3 down and was throwing to go two behind.
He did just that but Anderson put the tie back on track after nine darts hitting 81 for an 11-darter and he sealed the win with a superb 130 checkout on double five.
Results Players Championship 24
Last 16
Gary Anderson 6 | 0 Kim Huybrechts
Martin Lukeman 6 | 0 Jules van Dongen
Daryl Gurney 6 | 3 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Stephen Bunting 6 | 3 Luke Woodhouse
Ryan Joyce 6 | 3 Christian Kist
Michael van Gerwen 6 | 3 Chris Dobey
Damon Heta 6 | 1 Arron Monk
Jonny Clayton 6 | 5 Joe Cullen
Quarterfinals
Gary Anderson 6 | 5 Martin Lukeman
Stephen Bunting 6 | 3 Daryl Gurney
Ryan Joyce 6 | 3 Michael van Gerwen
Jonny Clayton 6 | 1 Damon Heta
Semi-final
Gary Anderson (95.69) 7 | 5 (94.41) Stephen Bunting
Ryan Joyce (98.38) 7 | 3 (99.94) Jonny Clayton
Final
Gary Anderson (103.68) 8-4 (92.81) Ryan Joyce