Michael van Gerwen went back-to-back on the World Series as he defeated Raymond van Barneveld 8-1 in the final of the 2019 New Zealand Darts Masters, presented by Burger King and TAB.

The current world champion, who won the corresponding event in Auckland in 2018 and also a World Series title in Melbourne last week, was too good for his fellow Dutchman in the final and went on to claim the inaugural NZ Darts Masters crown in front of a 4000-strong crowd at the Claudelands Arena in Hamilton.

It was a third final in five years in New Zealand for Van Barneveld, but in a repeat of the previous year, Van Gerwen once again proved too strong for his retiring compatriot. The final began with Van Barneveld missing three darts at doubles in the opening two legs with Van Gerwen punishing his opponent to take a 2-0 lead.

The pain didn’t stop for Van Barneveld there, as his fellow countryman piled on the pressure and broke again with a 100 checkout in the fourth leg, before going five-nil ahead. The 52-year old eventually did get a leg on the board as he pinned double ten in the sixth leg of the match to stop the rot and stall Van Gerwen’s relentless surge to the title.

That brief moment of joy was short-lived for Van Barneveld though as the world number one went on to win the next three legs and walk away with the title.

UK TV coverage will be on ITV4 6pm-10pm on Saturday

Friday, August 23rd

FIRST ROUND (11)
James Wade 6-5 Craig Caldwell
Simon Whitlock 4-6 Ben Robb
Daryl Gurney 6-2 David Platt
Rob Cross 6-2 Warren Parry
Gary Anderson 6-3 Haupai Puha
Peter Wright 6-1 Damon Heta
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Kyle Anderson
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Cody Harris

Saturday, August 24th

QUARTER FINALS (15)
Peter Wright 4-8 James Wade
Daryl Gurney 6-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 8-5 Gary Anderson
Rob Cross 8-3 Ben Robb

SEMI FINALS (15)
James Wade 5-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 8-3 Rob Cross

FINAL (15)
Raymond van Barneveld 1-8 Michael van Gerwen