Michael van Gerwen fired a warning to his Cazoo Premier League rivals after winning his first night of the 2023 season at Dublin’s 3Arena on Thursday.
Van Gerwen defeated Chris Dobey, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price to pocket the £10,000 bonus on the Emerald Isle, recovering from 5-2 down to deny Price in a dramatic Night Four final.
Price squandered seven match darts in the closing stages of Thursday’s showpiece, and Van Gerwen profited to claim a valuable five league points and move top of the table heading into Night Five.
“I had to fight in all my games – every game was a battle. It wasn’t easy but the most important thing is I won the night,” reflected Van Gerwen, the fourth different nightly winner in as many weeks.
“Gezzy was phenomenal. He made it really difficult and put me under pressure.
“This final had everything. It had drama, good scoring, missed doubles, and to win games like this, it gives you a lot of pleasure.
“I averaged 110 against Gezzy in Cardiff and lost that game, so he knows I owed him one!
“I’m top of the table without even playing my A-game, and that gives me a lot of confidence. There’s a lot to fight for in the next 12 or 13 weeks, so I’m feeling good.”
Van Gerwen wasn’t at his blistering best in the Irish capital, recording hard-fought 6-3 wins against Dobey and Clayton before his comeback victory against Price.
The Welshman had posted successive ton-topping averages in wins over Dimitri Van den Bergh and World Champion Michael Smith, but he was unable to add to his Night Two success in Cardiff.
“I worked hard for this and to win in front of this crowd in Dublin, it feels amazing,” added Van Gerwen, who has only lost once in Dublin throughout his entire Premier League career.
"You are playing against world-class players every week, but you need to believe in your own ability.
"I am not playing my top game at the moment, so to win and be top of the table without producing your best performance, that is a good thing.”
Reigning champion Van Gerwen is eyeing a record-breaking seventh Premier League crown in 2023, having dominated the sport’s biggest roadshow over the last decade.
The 33-year-old has topped the league phase in eight of the previous ten seasons, and despite his modest start to this year’s campaign, he still boasts the highest tournament average thus far.
“I think from here, there’s a lot more to come,” added the Dutchman, who will renew his rivalry with Price in the opening quarter-final on Night Five in Exeter.
“My best game is coming. It might take a few more weeks, but we’re starting to get somewhere now.
“I know I have to be better than this because I’m not playing well yet, but I don’t have to send out messages.
“They know what I’m capable of, and with me playing this poorly and still winning, it’s nice.
“I know there is a lot of work to do and I need to keep performing, so to go into next week after a win is always a pleasant feeling.”
Night Five - Thursday March 2
Westpoint Exeter
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price
Nathan Aspinall v Michael Smith
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Chris Dobey
Jonny Clayton v Peter Wright
All matches best of 11 legs
