The final ProTour tournament before the World Matchplay saw Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson lead the way with Gerwyn Price withdrawing late from
Players Championship 24. But it was Gabriel Clemens who won seeing off Luke Woodhouse 8-6 in Leicester.
Also Dave Chisnall had the final World Matchplay spot in his sights and is just £500 behind Gurney and then Heta. He managed to achieve it with only Sebastian Bialecki able to mount a charge after the opening few rounds.
Albeit the final was between Clemens and Woodhouse. The German Giant who went into the final still winless on the tour against a player who has been superb and has won multiple titles already this year in Luke Woodhouse saw for a long time the two best players without a title duke it out.
Clemens saw off Brendan Dolan 7-3. He also defeated Mickey Mansell (6-1), Scott Williams (6-5). 'Shaggy' hit a nine-dart finish during his victory. While Kevin Doets who of course has been of the best players on tour this season was defeated 6-5.
The dawn of Clemens
Michael van Gerwen was taken out by him too 6-4. While Thomas Lovely was to start the day. Luke Woodhouse has seen off Gian van Veen (7-5), Danny Noppert (6-0), Justin Hood (6-3), Cam Crabtree (6-3), Raymond van Barneveld (6-3). As well as Thibault Tricole who was seen off 6-5.
Clemens looked to ease to it. He was ahead and cruising but as the finish line dawned, the ghost of eight lost finals came back to nearly bite him. Clemens hit 180 to leave double 16 for a second maximum of the leg. Woodhouse couldn't take out 161 and Clemens hit double 18 to make it 1-0.
Double 16 for Woodhouse saw him make it 1-1. 139 for Woodhouse to leave 48 as he looked to break at 2-1. He missed darts and Clemens came back for 92. Clemens couldn't even get a dart and Woodhouse returned only to miss three more. Clemens back then for double 18 for 2-1.
Gabriel Clemens wins finally.
Clemens missed double eight for 3-1. But he returned to break and was throwing for 4-1. He sealed a 4-1 lead. Woodhouse back though for 68 to go 4-2 down and hold.
Clemens missed 144 but he would return for double six in an attempt to go 5-2 up. Clemens missed darts to break but again Woodhouse was not on a finish. He came back for 6-2 on double eight.
Clemens missed double seven for a sumptuous 122 checkout using two treble 18's but Woodhouse then missed the bull and The German Giant returned to miss two more darts to hold. Woodhouse returned for double eight to break back for 6-3. Woodhouse hit double eight for 6-4.
Double four for Woodhouse to run off three straight legs and Woodhouse was throwing for 6-6 suddenly. A 55 checkout to make it 6-6 from there. Clemens finally looked to have a dart at a double again but went into the one off 87 and Woodhouse came back only to not hit 107. Clemens finally returned to make it 7-6 and produced a blockbuster ending hitting a 170 checkout to win.
Eight years, seven finals. Six lost and on the seventh attempt, he is finally a PDC champion. Truly incredible scenes.