Gerwyn Price has warned his darting rivals that he could be ‘unbeatable’ over the coming years, following his Jack's World Series of Darts Finals triumph in Amsterdam.
Price tasted glory in the World Series showpiece for the second time in three years with a thrilling 11-10 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode at the AFAS Live on Sunday, firing in a 14-darter in the decider to claim the £70,000 top prize.
Van Duijvenbode performed superbly in his bid for a maiden televised crown, but Price produced the goods in the latter stages of a pulsating contest, taking out 146, 121 and 116 finishes to prevail.
“I think I’ve got a little bit more composure and experience than Dirk and that counted,” reflected the Welshman, who also defeated Van Duijvenbode in the 2020 World Grand Prix final.
“To play a Dutch player in the final is always going to be tough and I let him off the hook a couple of times.
“I think I could have been 7-3 up at the second break but I let him back in the game at 5-5. Fair play to Dirk, he came back at me well. It was a great game.”
The 37-year-old came through a series of gruelling tussles in Amsterdam, recovering from 5-4 down to topple Matt Campbell in Saturday’s second round, before registering 10-8 and 11-9 wins over Joe Cullen and James Wade on Finals Day.
Price’s victory over Van Duijvenbode saw him secure his eighth televised title within four years, but the world number one insists he’s yet to fulfil his true potential.
“I reckon in three years’ time I will pretty much be unbeatable,” declared the 2021 World Champion.
“Everyone else that is here now is experienced. Michael Smith, Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen - even Jonny Clayton did a lot of BDO stuff with Wales.
“I’m really new to this compared to those players, so another three years where I can improve a lot more, and I will be very tough to beat.”
The Welshman endured a challenging start to 2022, with a fractured hand derailing his Cazoo Premier League campaign, but he’s returned to form in emphatic style over recent months.
Fresh from reaching a maiden Betfred World Matchplay final in July, Price also featured in last month’s PalmerBet Queensland Darts Masters final, before celebrating TAB New Zealand Darts Masters success in Hamilton a fortnight later.
“It is always nice to win,” said Price, who now sets his sights on claiming a second BoyleSports World Grand Prix title at Leicester’s Morningside Arena from October 3-9.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the World Series or TV ranking events - it fills you with confidence, especially with the World Grand Prix coming up.
“If I can start off like I have in previous years, there is no reason why I can’t go and win that title again.
“I know I’m playing well. I know where I should be.
“I have got a lot more in the tank, but things are going in the right direction at the right time of year. I'm full of confidence."