Michael van Gerwen has booked his place in the Premier League playoffs despite losing 6-5 in the final against Luke Humphries.
Van Gerwen has gone through the most testing period of his recent darting career.
Such has been the dominance of the ‘Green Machine’ since his emergence onto the PDC stage in 2007, it isn’t common to see him through a rough patch of form.
The spellbinding arrowsmith has scooped 66 televised titles, including three World Championships and seven Premier League triumphs.
Yet, the 35-year-old has shown he’s human, particularly in recent months, for encountering a tough spell.
Van Gerwen suffered a shock defeat to world No.48 Steve Beaton on Monday in the Players Championships 9, while losing three of his last four matches in the Premier League.
That was until he pieced together an impressive run to the final in Leeds on Thursday, defeating Gerwyn Price and Luke Littler 6-3 and 6-1 before losing 6-5 to Luke Humphries in the final.
After threatening to drop out of the playoffs, MVG has just confirmed his place in the finals night with one week left to go.
Michael Van Gerwen reacts to Premier League display in Leeds
Everyone who follows darts knows how prolific the Dutchman is when he reaches finals night, winning the Premier League’s previous two editions.
Although his drop-off in form recently has given his rivals hope, Van Gerwen’s performance in Leeds – despite losing in the final – will give him the confidence to win a seventh title.
Unsurprisingly, the talented arrowsmith was pleased with his display in West Yorkshire having averaged 101 in the victory over Price and hit an impressive 11 180’s across his three matches.
Taking to X after his defeat against Humphries, he wrote:
Why Michael van Gerwen has the edge on Premier League finals night
The players who finish in the top four of the Premier League after the regular league phase will qualify for finals night.
So far, Humphries, Littler and MVG have all booked their place at the O2 Arena on Thursday 23 May, as they battle it out for the prestigious prize.
The final spot is between Nathan Aspinall and Michael Smith, but regardless of who qualifies, Van Gerwen has the edge over his rivals.
No matter how poorly he’s played this year at times, the Premier League is his playground and having won it on seven of the last 11 occasions, you wouldn’t back against him picking up an eighth triumph.
He’s more experienced than anyone at handling the pressure of the O2, and although Humphries and Littler are in better form, MVG turns on the heat in this competition.