Dutch Darts Masters (WS)

The 2024 Dutch Darts Masters were held on January 26 and 27 in the Maaspoort in Den Bosch. In Michael van Gerwen's backyard it is Mighty Mike himself who claims the title. He beats the English super talent Luke Littler 8-6 in a thrilling final.

The eight invited players on behalf of the PDC this time are, in addition to Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright. In the first round they compete against eight players from the Netherlands and Belgium. The challengers are Dimitri Van den Bergh, Danny Noppert, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Raymond van Barneveld, Gian van Veen, Jermaine Wattimena, Vincent van der Voort and Kevin Doets.

The Benelux players are doing excellently in that first round. Danny Noppert beats Nathan Aspinall 6-2, Kevin Doets wins with the same scoreline against Peter Wright and Gian van Veen also wins, he beats Michael Smith 6-3. The most spectacular victory comes from Raymond van Barneveld who manages to beat Rob Cross in an eleventh and decisive leg.

In the quarterfinals, Van Veen also beats compatriot Danny Noppert. Barney takes a 5-2 lead against Michael van Gerwen but misses a match dart and loses the last four legs of the match. The curtain falls for Kevin Doets who plays well but still loses to Gerwyn Price. Luke Littler takes revenge for his lost World Championship final by beating Luke Humphries 6-5. He then also beats Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals 7-4. Michael van Gerwen wins with the same figures from compatriot Gian van Veen.

The final will be one of high level. Both men do not want to give up and the high scores and ditto finishes come fast and furious. Despite an average of almost 107, Luke Littler still has to bow his head to Van Gerwen this time. Michael wins the Toon Greebe Trophy in front of his own audience. The trophy is named after the young darts player and personal friend of MVG, who died last year at the age of 35.