Van Gerwen hopes to forget below par season with fourth world title

Michael van Gerwen showed at the end of November that he is getting back to his best just in time for the World Championship, where he hopes to win his fourth world title.

Van Gerwen came closer and closer to his old form in the autumn, but was beaten by an excellent opponent (twice Simon Whitlock and once Ian White) during the World Grand Prix, European Championship and Grand Slam of Darts. The puzzle pieces fell together at the Players Championship Finals, as he claimed his first major title since March.

This triumph could not have come at a better time, because Van Gerwen also needed that confirmation, he said in an interview with Dutch website Dartsnieuws. “It was a great moment to win a tournament. That was very important to me. I can gain self-confidence from this and I want to continue that to the World Championship.''

The world number one won only two of the eleven TV tournaments this year, his worst result since 2013. Then he started the following year with the world title, something that can now make up for his entire season.

''If you win the world title, you are over the moon and you want to forget the rest. I'm someone who wants to win every tournament that I participate in. Everyone knows that the World Championship is the most important tournament and I just want to shine there. ''

Despite a disappointing season, the three-time world champion still won the most ranking prize money of all darts players on the PDC Tour. What does that say? ''Then I did something good. Still the right things at the right times. This year I was not in my best shape. Everyone expects more than a semi-final, myself as well. Of course I am not satisfied (with this season), But it is less bad than people think.''

Van Gerwen starts the World Championship with a match against the winner of the match between Ryan Murray and Lourence Ilagan. The Filipino is the most well-known player of this two for the Dutchman.

“I once saw Ilagan play against Vincent (van der Voort). He actually played a pretty strong match. It is a player who puts a lot of aggression into his match.''

When Van Gerwen was reminded that he once threw two nine-darters in a Pro Tour match against Murray, he could also tell a little more about the Scot. "I didn't even remember that, but that is quite a nice player.''

Van Gerwen's first game is scheduled for Saturday December 19, but he will be heading to the United Kingdom next Wednesday. He does not yet know whether he will stay a victory in London or return to the Netherlands during the Christmas break. "In any case, I have to make sure that I get my rest. Also I don't want to come into contact with too many people, which is why I also go there by car. Then I assume it will be fine.''