World Series of Darts Finals: Michael van Gerwen beats Gary Anderson to complete title hat-trick
Michael van Gerwen beat Gary Anderson 11-6 to win the World Series of Darts Finals for the third year in a row.
The reigning world champion - now 8/11 with Sky Bet to successfully defend that title at the Alexandra Palace - was facing the man he beat in January's World Championship final but this time the Scot had a home crowd behind him at Glasgow's Braehead Arena.
He almost got off to a flying start, holding three darts to break Van Gerwen's throw, but all three missed double 16 before MVG took out 103.
Anderson hit a 12-dart leg to level at 1-1 but the Dutchman then raised the stakes, securing the first break of throw and opening a 4-1 lead at the first interval.
Anderson, who won World Series events in Dubai and Perth earlier this season, stayed within touching distance at 6-4 but following the next break, the Dutchman pulled away, winning four straight legs to move within one of victory.
The local hero managed to delay the victory celebrations, recovering one of the breaks of throw, but Van Gerwen - himself a World Series event winner in both Shanghai and Las Vegas this year - soon moved in for the kill.
When Anderson was unable to finish on 132 his rival stepped in to clinically take out 87.
Ven Gerwen finished the match with an average of 103.3 and a checkout percentage of 61. Anderson's equivalent figures were 100.7 and 35.
"I'm really glad that I won this trophy again," said Van Gerwen. "Gary always makes you work hard and you know what you're going to get from him.
"Winning the first leg, when he missed three darts at a double, gave me confidence from the beginning and from there my finishing and scoring power was there at the right moments."
Van Gerwen's triumph followed up his fourth successive European Championship title last weekend and comes ahead of his bid to win another event for a third straight year when he defends the Grand Slam of Darts from November 11-19.
"Every tournament is special and this is fantastic," he added. "Around this period you want to perform close to your best and I want to win every tournament.
"I have that extra gear when I have to and you always have to believe in yourself. I always want to perform and you always need to be hungry, otherwise you can't win."
Anderson, who had earlier moved into the final by beating James Wade 11-5, admitted: "I love playing Michael, I've been battered tonight but I'm looking forward to next time.
"I'm struggling to keep up with him - I used to be able to play at his pace! This was a good weekend for me - it's always nice to get to a final in Scotland and it's a shame I couldn't win in front of my own fans."
Van Gerwen saw off Daryl Gurney 11-8 in his semi.