Kim Huybrechts last sealed a PDC title back in 2015 when he won the European Darts Grand Prix in October of that year at a European Tour stalwart of Sindelfingen but he is back in the winners' circle at
Players Championship 3 in 2023.
It is a first title in close to eight years for 'The Hurricane' who has showed signs of a resurgence in the past 18 months but certainly not winning titles.
After taking down Gerwyn Price in the last round, Gabriel Clemens was the next to fall with the German Giant's barren record in finals continuing as the Belgian picked him apart in an 8-1 thrashing.
A 78 checkout saw Huybrechts lead to begin the tie. Huybrechts missed 128 on double 10 for a break but returned with Clemens missing 76 to hold.
Huybrechts hit double five as a result for 2-0. After Clemens missed chances to break back, Huybrechts pounced for 3-0.
Clemens missed 123 on the bull and Huybrechts helped himself to a double break on double 12 at 4-0.
Clemens missed three clear at double 20 to break back and it went from bad to worse as Huybrechts held throw to go 5-0 up.
A 70 checkout saw Huybrechts break again at 6-0. He went one away with a superb 117 checkout as the mauling continued.
Clemens finally got on the board with a 103 checkout on double 16 but after back-to-back 134 shots from Huybrechts to steer himself in control, he left 80 to win it before missing his first opportunity but with Clemens way back, he sealed it in one next time around.
Players Championship 3 Results
Last 16
Andrew Gilding (94.37) 6 | 3 (93.33) Jamie Hughes
Gerwyn Price (98.24) 6 | 2 (98.02) Richard Veenstra
Kim Huybrechts (93.83) 6 | 2 (89.73) Ricardo Pietreczko
Josh Rock (100.36) 6 | 3 (96.82) Adam Warner
Gabriel Clemens (94.71) 6 | 3 (96.09) Ross Smith
Madars Razma (95.70) 6 | 4 (89.57) Danny Noppert
Matt Campbell (95.08) 6 | 2 (79.67) Niels Zonneveld
Gian van Veen (100.23) 6 | 4 (102.02) Jonny Clayton
Quarter-Finals
Andrew Gilding (97.94) 5 | 6 (97.63) Gerwyn Price
Kim Huybrechts (94.10) 6 | 5 (95.49) Josh Rock
Gabriel Clemens (84.73) 6 | 3 (86.05) Madars Razma
Matt Campbell (102.25) 6 | 3 (96.43) Gian van Veen
Semi-Finals
Gerwyn Price (97.34) 3 | 7 (95.22) Kim Huybrechts
Gabriel Clemens (92.98) 7 | 4 (91.19) Matt Campbell
Final
Kim Huybrechts (92.60) 8 | 1 (85.89) Gabriel Clemens