27/03/2022

Van Gerwen seals first ProTour title of the season at Players Championship 8 denying Schindler on home soil

Michael van Gerwen had to wait till the back end of 2021 for his first ProTour title but has struck eight events into the Players Championship season in 2022.

Van Gerwen adds to his European Tour triumph earlier this season to continue his return to form denying Martin Schindler in his maiden effort on home soil in an 8-4 win.

This featuring a 102.5 average and a 126 checkout towards the back end of the tie which proved vital as he joins Gerwyn Price in the winners' circle in what was a depleted field this weekend albeit the two biggest names sealed titles.

Prize Money breakdown 2022 Players Championship with £3,000,000 on offer

Van Gerwen hit the front with a 54 checkout after Schindler missed the bull to hold and a 90 checkout saw MVG continue to punish the poor start.

Back-to-back 180’s saw MVG continue to attack Schindler’s throw and he took another break to race into a 3-0 lead.

Van Gerwen missed 114 to consolidate and Schindler replied with a 56 checkout to break back. He missed a 74 checkout to consolidate and his hard work was undone as Van Gerwen slammed in a 68 checkout to make it 4-1.

Schindler couldn’t produce a 101 checkout and Van Gerwen was handed another chance but he missed double 20 for a 70 checkout and Schindler returned only to miss again.

Van Gerwen held final dart at 5-1 to go further towards the finishing line. Schindler missed a chance to hold but MVG couldn’t pick his pockets with a 114 checkout and Schindler stopped the rot to make it 5-2.

MVG held on double eight to make it 6-2. Schindler missed bull for a 121 but returned for double eight to hold and make it 6-3.

Schindler hit double nine to break back and make it 6-4 and he was throwing to go one behind. Both players caught light but Schindler hit a 180 to leave 86 which he missed on double seven.

Van Gerwen returned for 126 which he pinned to go one away and break back at 7-4. He pinned double 20 to seal it.

Players Championship 8 Results

Last 16

Martin Schindler (97.92) 6 | 2 (79.20) Jamie Hughes

Daryl Gurney (85.20) 6 | 5 (92.42) Krzysztof Ratajski

Stephen Bunting (106.31) 6 | 3 (97.22) Rob Cross

Adrian Lewis (98.14) 6 | 5 (95.47) Damon Heta

Michael van Gerwen (96.55) 6 | 3 (89.88) Danny Noppert

Brendan Dolan (100.71) 6 | 4 (86.43) Danny Jansen

James Wade (97.07) 6 | 3 (93.30) Keane Barry

Luke Humphries (97.87) 6 | 3 (88.95) Jermaine Wattimena

Quarter-Finals