Van Gerwen seals third World Matchplay title, first since 2016 with incredible comeback win over Price
PDC
Michael van Gerwen came into this year's World Matchplay with doubts against his form due to recent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery as he looked to regain the Phil Taylor Trophy for the first time since 2016 but in an improbable title win, it was a similar type comeback as he saw off Gerwyn Price 18-14 in a simply sublime win from the Green Machine.
ADVERTISEMENT
Price led for the most part including going 9-6 and 12-10 up and was slowly building his lead but just like the semi-finals, Van Gerwen waited patiently and struck only leading for the first time at 15-14 before surging to the title.
He adds to his Premier League Darts triumph last month as he looks to seal the triple crown with the World Darts Championship the only piece left as he looks to dominate the world of darts once more.
Price was incredible to begin the tie as he doubled his lead with a 101 checkout and broke throw from there at 4-0 with a 70 checkout pouncing all over missed doubles from Van Gerwen.
This continued to be a theme for MVG albeit missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish. He returned to seal a 4-1 deficit but was three down at the interval.
Both exchanged 180’s but Van Gerwen was first to a finish in the form of 90 missing two darts at double 20 but Price was not there to punish on 130 and MVG made it 4-2 consolidating the break.
He followed it up with an incredible 160 checkout as he broke once more at 4-3 down. It was suddenly parity at 4-4 with Price going off the boil just as Van Gerwen rose to the occasion. But the missed doubles returned and Price after a wry 180 had a go at 58 pinning double 20 to open up a two leg gap again at 5-3.
ADVERTISEMENT
Double 10 pinned saw Price hold and make it 6-3. At the next interval though it was finely poised with Price’s lead sat at 6-4.
A 180, 177 and 44 checkout saw Price make it 7-4. Van Gerwen returned with a special 82 checkout with the 25 blocking the bull and he found his way through for 7-5 but only a hold as Price continued to surge ahead at 8-5.
Both exchanged maximums again making it 13 for the match. But after Van Gerwen didn’t take out 114, Price returned for double nine to break again and make it 9-5.
But a poor leg from Price saw Van Gerwen immediately break back at 9-6. Another maximum from MVG left 97 which he pinned to go two behind at 9-7.
Price missed the second dart at double 20 for a 100 checkout but Van Gerwen missed the same target for 118 and ‘The Iceman’ went into double figures at 10-7. Van Gerwen held again with another showstopping checkout of 140 but it was only to go two behind.
ADVERTISEMENT
Price again pinned a maximum with the 18th in all in the match and pinned an 86 checkout on double 16 to go 11-8 up. An 86 checkout kept it at 11-9 at the next interval with Van Gerwen keeping the pressure on.
This time it was Price who got punished for missed doubles and took out 81 for 11-10 but Van Gerwen missed two darts for a level game and Price broke back on double 10 at 12-10.
Price couldn’t pin a 144 on his throw but a 74 checkout from Van Gerwen was missed. But again missed doubles crept into Price’s game and Van Gerwen found another break at 12-11 down.
It was a 21st match 180 between them as Price pinned a maximum but he followed that up with a 25 and Van Gerwen was first to a finish of 115 as he looked for parity.
Price was sat on 76 and got a shot with double 19 missed by MVG but the former was wild and handed MVG parity at 12-12.
ADVERTISEMENT
Price missed 90 on the bull and Van Gerwen was handed a break chance at 84 but he couldn’t take it and ‘The Iceman’ continued to hold the lead at 13-12.
A 90 checkout saw parity for Van Gerwen again at 13-13. Price again began to falter on his throw handing Van Gerwen a chance at 76 but one again he didn’t take and again the Welshman went 14-13 up.
MVG hit double 20 as Price could not attack the throw and it was 14-14. MVG finally sealed a break to lead with a 130 checkout just like he did against Van den Bergh at 15-14.
A last dart double six saw that lead stretched to two at 16-14. Price missed two darts from 100 to hold and Van Gerwen moved to within a leg with a 114 checkout at 17-14.
Price’s trebles finally returned with his back against the wall. He missed the bull for an 88 checkout and Van Gerwen pinned 121 on the bull for the title.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read also
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
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.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
