Fourth Pro Tour For The Iceman
Former World Champion Gerwyn Price became the first player to claim 4 Pro Tour titles this year, winning Event 29 at the Barnsley Metrodome after beating Dave Chisnall 8-3 in the Final.
The Iceman included a 170 finish against the 3 Time winner on the European Tour, finding the bull for success in the 6th leg of the match.
The Welsh international adds to his tally having claimed a Pro Tour double in Hildesheim at the end of August for Events 17 and 18, beating Josh Rock and fellow Red Dragon player Gian van Veen in the respective Finals. Price also picked up Players Championship 21, coming through an 8-6 winner in a well contested Final with German international Daniel Klose.
The World Number 5 opened his day with a 6-4 victory in the 1st Round against Jules van Dongen, before averaging 104.86 to defeat compatriot Richie Burnett 6-0 in the 2nd Round.
Gerwyn was pushed all the way by Masters Champion Chris Dobey in the Last 32, coming through a 6-5 winner to face Ricardo Pietreczko who averaged 103.07 to defeat Richard Veenstra in his 3rd Round battle.
Pikachu averaged over 100 in the contest but was punished by The Iceman for a loose dart on a combination finish, with the Markham born player pinning double 18 second dart to complete a 14-dart leg and a 6-4 victory.
Price found his second ton plus average of the day to defeat recent European Championship Semi Finalist Gian van Veen, completing consecutive 12 and 13 darters to wrap up a 6-1 victory, finding double tops first dart for a place in the Semi Finals.
The Red Dragon player despite averaging 5 points lower than Damon Heta in the Last 4 at the Barnsley Metrodome, started of in strong fashion with an early break of throw to lead by 2 after 4 legs played.
The Welshman then found three successive legs to reach the Final after the Heat had levelled up at 4-4, finding tops last dart to complete an 80 checkout and a 7-4 success over the Australian Number 1.
Dave Chisnall came through the other side of the draw in Players Championship 29, defeating Maik Kuivenhoven in the Quarter Finals before edging a close battle with former World Champion Rob Cross 7-5 in the Semi Finals.
Price prevailed against Chizzy who averaged under 90 in the Final, with The Iceman setting the tone after a 170 finish in the 6th leg of the contest.
This started a 6-leg surge to a fourth Pro Tour victory of 2023 for the World Number 5, finding back-to-back 11 darters and then a sensational 105 finish to win it, having hit bullseye and single 15 before double tops to claim an 8-3 victory in the Final.
Gerwyn averaged 100.31 against the European Tour Number 1, winning Players Championship 29 for the second year running in Barnsley to move top of the Pro Tour Order of Merit with over £79,000 earnt.
Elsewhere there were good runs for Red Dragon pair Josh Payne and Jamie Hughes, with the Maximum taking out World Champion Michael Smith and German Number 1 Gabriel Clemens, as both players reached the Last 16.
The run will certainly help Jamie in his hunt for a spot at the Players Championship Finals, currently sitting in 44th on the Order of Merit with 1 Event remaining, as the Top 64 will secure a spot at Butlins Minehead Resort on the 24th of November.
The Final Players Championship Event of the year takes place on Thursday at the Barnsley Metrodome, with the race to qualify for the Players Championship Finals at the end of November still to be decided.
By Harry Masterson
