Inaugural Belgian Darts Open for MVG
Michael van Gerwen claimed his first Euro Tour crown of the year, after beating World Number 6 Luke Humphries 8-6 in the Final of the 2023 Belgian Darts Open. The former 3-time World Champion returns to 2nd in the PDC Order of Merit, moving ahead of Peter Wright after earning £30,000 for his success in Wieze.
Mighty Mike has enjoyed a strong start to the year having secured his Premier League Play Off place last Thursday in Manchester. The Dutchman has also picked up a win on the Pro Tour after beating Northern Irish youngster Josh Rock 8-4 to win Players Championship 7 in Hildesheim.
The Green Machine beat Rocky 7-3 in the Semi Finals at the Oktoberhallen, responding well from his defeat to the youngster at the same stage of the Austrian Darts Open.
The Dutchman also defeated Jose de Sousa on the Saturday in Belgium, whilst also recording victories over Martin Schindler and Gary Anderson including a 156 checkout to pinch the final leg against the Flying Scotsman in a 6-2 win in the Quarter Finals.
Van Gerwen was impressive on the outer ring in the Final against Luke Humphries, producing a 61.54% checkout rate including a 129 finish to level the game at 5-5.
Mighty Mike threw his highest average in beating Josh Rock in the Last 4, averaging 102.98 despite not throwing a 180 across the 10 legs played. The Vlijmen player again impressed on his doubles, finishing at 46.67% including a 126 check out in the fourth leg to hold his throw.
The Green Machine’s win at the Belgian Darts Open makes it 36 Euro Tour titles, and his first success at the Oktoberhallen.
Luke Humphries enjoyed another strong run in a Euro Tour, reaching back-to-back Finals in the space of 7 days. Cool Hand beat Premier League Play Off chaser Nathan Aspinall 6-2 in the Quarter Finals and 3-time Pro Tour winner this year Dirk van Duijvenbode in the Semi Finals, clinching a last leg decider having survived match darts from the Dutchman.
Michael returns to action this week as the Premier League heads to Sheffield for Night 15, having already wrapped up his spot at the O2 Arena for Finals Night as defending champion. He faces World Number 1 Michael Smith as the Top 2 in the world clash at the Utilita Arena.
By Harry Masterson
2023 Belgian Darts Open: Results
Last 16:
Luke Humphries (1) 6-5 Andy Baetens
Nathan Aspinall (8) 6-4 Danny Noppert (9)
Jonny Clayton (13) 6-3 Damon Heta (4)
Dirk van Duijvenbode (5) 6-3 Matt Campbell
Josh Rock (15) 6-4 Dave Chisnall (2)
Michael Smith (7) 6-4 Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen (3) 6-5 Martin Schindler (14)
Gary Anderson 6-2 Rob Cross (6)
Quarter Finals:
Luke Humphries (1) 6-2 Nathan Aspinall (8)
Dirk van Duijvenbode (5) 6-4 Jonny Clayton (13)
Josh Rock (15) 6-1 Michael Smith (7)
Michael van Gerwen (3) 6-1 Gary Anderson
Semi Finals:
Luke Humphries (1) 7-6 Dirk van Duijvenbode (5)
Michael van Gerwen (3) 7-3 Josh Rock (15)
Final:
Michael van Gerwen (3) 8-6 Luke Humphries (1)