As a result, a Grand Slam of Darts place finally awaits and a top seeding at the European Championship but he wasn't pleased with his weekend performance wise despite claiming the title. But he will take the confidence away.
"It was the same scoreline as last time [the 2019 European Darts Matchplay] but the difference this time was Michael just didn't get going," said Cullen.
"It was lucky for me that he didn't, because if he did then it would've been a different game.
"I didn't think I was too great either. It is a confidence-builder but I honestly don't think I played well this tournament.
"That said, the closest I came to losing was against Ross [Smith] in the quarter-finals. I just did enough to win every game.
"It's amazing to pick up this title in front of a crowd, we all miss the fans."
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
CULLEN IS THE CHAMPION 🏆
Joe Cullen wins his second ever European Tour title, beating Michael van Gerwen 8-5 to win the 2020 International Darts Open!
He will be the number one seed at the European Championships too!