Michael van Gerwen won the Bahrain Darts Masters for the first time after producing an imperious display to defeat Gian van Veen 8-6 in Friday's final.
The three-time World Champion backed up his 2025 World Series of Darts Finals success with his first taste of victory at Terminal 4 by Beyon, Bahrain, claiming an incredible 17th World Series of Darts trophy in the process.
Van Gerwen saw off Alexis Toylo, Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price and Van Veen to clinch the iconic date palm trophy to begin his 2026 campaign in stellar fashion.
The world number four produced a resounding performance in the final against Van Veen, taking out checkouts of 130 and 113 to storm into an early 3-0 advantage.
Van Gerwen then fended off a fightback from his compatriot to take a 4-2 lead - averaging north of 109 at this stage - and cruised into a 6-2 to lead to go two legs away from the title.
Van Veen then rallied, as the World Championship runner-up reeled off three consecutive legs to reduce the deficit to a sole leg, but Van Gerwen stopped the rot by taking out a clutch 103 checkout, before finishing the job with a 66 checkout to claim glory in Bahrain.
2026 Bahrain Darts Masters
Friday January 16 (1900 local time, 1600 GMT)
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Luke Littler
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Luke Humphries
Gian van Veen 6-1 Danny Noppert
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Gerwyn Price
Nathan Aspinall 4-7 Gian van Veen
Best of 13 leg
Final
Michael van Gerwen 8-6 Gian van Veen
Best of 15 legs