Michael van Gerwen ended a 16-month title drought on the PDC European Tour by beating Jan van Veen 8-7 in Budapest on Sunday to claim the 2024 Hungarian Darts Trophy title.
The Dutch superstar will claim his 36th European Tour victory at the Belgian Darts Trophy in May 2023, extending his incredible record in a thrilling final at the MVM Dome.
Van Veen was bidding for his first senior PDC title but the youngster had to rue a missed match dart on the bull before van Gerwen won the deciding leg of the final with a 110 checkout.
“It was really important, I had to fight really hard,” admitted Van Gerwen. “I struggled in the final and Jean took advantage of that, but I was fighting more with myself.”
“The audience gave me so much energy so I’m happy to be able to give something back to them.”
“I think I’m heading in the right direction, especially with my new darts. I’ve missed that winning feeling for so long, but now everything’s coming together.”
Michael van Gerwen wins Hungarian Darts Trophy
“We want to win more and we still have love for the game. We need to keep the momentum going.”
“I’m only 22 and to come so far against Michael van Gerwen in the final feels amazing, so of course it’s disappointing,” van Veen said.
“I missed the match dart, the bull on 118, so I think it was really close, but Michael’s finish of 110 shows what he’s got. He’s a very deserving winner today – congratulations.”
