PETER WRIGHT clinched a second European Tour title of the year as he beat Benito van de Pas 6-5 in a truly thrilling final of the HappyBet German Darts Open in Saarbrucken.
Dutchman Van de Pas put in the performance of his career, averaging 110.46 as he pushed Wright all the way in a nail-biting finale.
However, one missed match dart in a dramatic decider allowed Wright - who proved clinical on the doubles throughout - in to land a stunning 121 sucker punch on the bullseye to secure the £25,000 top prize.
The final started in routine fashion for the world number three as he landed a 116 checkout to move into a 3-1 lead.
Van de Pas began to ramp up his scoring power, but still looked to be falling short as Wright moved onto the brink of victory at 5-3.
With defeat staring him the face, a crucial break of throw from Van de Pas forced a deciding leg, and with the throw he landed his third 180 and looked favourite for the title.
But his finishing evaded him at the crucial time as he missed double seven to claim his maiden European Tour win, allowing Wright to step in and land that incredible 121 to snatch the victory.
“You have to make things interesting,” joked Wright. “I took my time, I thought it was the only shot I was going to get and luckily I landed it.”
When asked about clinching his sixth PDC title of the year, Wright - who reverted to the darts which helped him win the Coral UK Open last month - added: “I have just started…perhaps I will start sticking to just one set of darts."
Despite tasting defeat, it was a superb run for Van de Pas as he reached his second final on the European Tour.
"I played so well and still lost,” said the despondent 24-year-old. “I am so proud I made it into the final and to play so well, but on the day, it still wasn’t enough.”
Wright started the day with a narrow 6-5 victory over Spain’s Cristo Reyes, but looked in superb form as he averaged 104 in his 6-2 quarter-final victory over Gerwyn Price.
Standing in his way of the final was Jelle Klaasen - who reached the decider at the German Darts Masters in Jena a week ago - but the world number three Wright upped his game once more, and a 105 average with yet more clinical finishing (66.67%) saw him breeze into the final by the same scoreline.
Van de Pas started his run to the final two with a narrow 6-5 victory over a resilient Joe Cullen in the third round.
A convincing quarter-final win over the in-form debutant Rob Cross - who had beaten Simon Whitlock earlier in the day - was next, as he averaged 103 in a 6-2 victory over the 26-year-old.
Ian White was the last hurdle between him and a place in the final, but he proved no match for the Dutchman as he raced into a 5-2 lead before comfortably making the decider.
Earlier in the evening, White caused the shock of the competition as he thrashed Michael van Gerwen 6-1 to reach the semi-finals.
In an uncharacteristic performance from the World Champion, he landed just 11% of his double attempts with White proving far more clinical.
The Stoke-based slinger averaged a superb 104 and took out a match-high 107 checkout as he charged to a shock victory and a place in the final four.
Austria’s Mensur Suljovic was the last player to make the quarter-finals, as he whitewashed Stephen Bunting 6-0 before losing out to Klaasen.
Sunday afternoon's third round had seen Van Gerwen see off young prospect Adam Hunt, while former European Tour winners Dave Chisnall, Mervyn King and Whitlock fell by the wayside alongside emerging Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh.
The European Tour will continue on May 5-7 with the HappyBet European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen, before the Gibraltar Darts Trophy is held from May 12-14. Coverage will be broadcast worldwide for PDCTV-HD Subscribers as well as through a series of bookmakers' websites.
Watch the HappyBet German Darts Open Final
HappyBet German Darts Open
Sunday April 23
Afternoon Session
Third Round
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Adam Hunt
Ian White 6-4 Mervyn King
Rob Cross 6-3 Simon Whitlock
Benito van de Pas 6-5 Joe Cullen
Peter Wright 6-5 Cristo Reyes
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Jelle Klaasen 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Mensur Suljovic 6-0 Stephen Bunting
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Ian White 6-1 Michael van Gerwen
Benito van de Pas 6-2 Rob Cross
Peter Wright 6-2 Gerwyn Price
Jelle Klaasen 6-3 Mensur Suljovic
Semi-Finals
Benito van de Pas 6-3 Ian White
Peter Wright 6-2 Jelle Klaasen
Final
Peter Wright 6-5 Benito van de Pas
All games are the best of 11 legs