Gerwyn Price returned to winning ways on Friday, after defeating Gian Van Veen 8-4 in the final of Players Championship 29, as the final Pro Tour weekend of the year commenced at the Barnsley Metrodome.
Price, who’s last Pro Tour success came back in March at PC7 in Niedernhausen, reached the final on Friday by recording victories over Steve West, Nathan Rafferty, Connor Scutt, Rowby-John Rodriguez, Martin Schindler and Mike De Decker, to set up a clash with Van Veen.
The final began with four straight holds of throw between the pair, before Price produced the first break of the tie in Leg 5 with a 15 darter to move 3-2 up. The Welshman then won three straight legs in 16,15 and 11 darts respectively to move 6-2 up and within two of victory. Van Veen did attempt a fightback by winning back-to-back legs, before Price hit two straight 14 darters, sealing the victory in Leg 12 with a 72 checkout to pick up a 5th title of the year.
Van Veen, currently without a Tour Card, reached his first senior final by recording victories over Bradley Brooks, Brendan Dolan, Richie Burnett, Alan Soutar, William O’Connor and Dave Chisnall, before being denied by Price.
Elsewhere, there were Quarter Final runs for Rob Cross and Jermaine Wattimena, with the likes of Michael Smith, Jonny Clayton, Luke Humphries and recently crowned European Champion Ross Smith all suffering early exits.
The PDC Pro Tour season concludes on Saturday with Players Championship Thirty taking place in Barnsley, with 128 players returning to compete for a further £100,000 in prize money, with play beginning at 12:00 GMT. Play will be broadcasted across two streaming boards on PDC.TV and various bookmaker websites worldwide, with all live scores and results on tv.dartconnect.com.
Players Championship 29
Last 16
Jermaine Wattimena 6-4 Luke Woodhouse
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Joe Cullen
William O’Connor 6-3 Steve Lennon
Gian Van Veen 6-2 Alan Soutar
Martin Schindler 6-3 Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Rob Cross 6-1 Danny Jansen
Mike De Decker 6-4 Kim Huybrechts
Quarter Finals
Dave Chisnall 6-1 Jermaine Wattimena
Gian Van Veen 6-2 William O’Connor
Gerwyn Price 6-0 Martin Schindler
Mike De Decker 6-4 Rob Cross
Semi Finals
Gian Van Veen 7-3 Dave Chisnall
Gerwyn Price 7-4 Mike De Decker
Final
Gerwyn Price 8-4 Gian Van Veen
—–ENDS—-
Images: PDC
