MICHAEL VAN GERWEN was close to tears after winning his first TV title in TWO YEARS in front of his young daughter Zoe.
The World No3, 36, beat Luke Littler 11-7 in the final of the World Series in Amsterdam on Sunday night.
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It was MVG’s first victory since taking the win in 2023 on the same stage.
The Dutchman, who is going through a marriage split, got emotional as his daughter came on stage to celebrate with him.
Zoe even helped him lift the golden trophy aloft as her dad chatted to Littler before the dad-and-daughter duo posed for photos.
Van Gerwen picked up £80,000 for the victory and said: “We all know where I’m coming from and the difficulties over the last few months.
“But to do it in front of your home crowd means a lot to me.
“I was also playing some fantastic darts that gives you energy and drive.
“Things have changed for me. Zoe said, ‘Daddy I want to go with you at the weekend’. I said, ‘No problem, you can come with me.’
“That’s how it is now, sometimes you have to adjust your life. You have to juggle around. My kids are lovely, it’s a bright future ahead. Goosebumps.
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“I’ve never been away. I had to dig really deep to do this. It means the world to me.
“I still love what I do. Sometimes it costs too much energy. But now I hope this is the beginning of a lot more.”
In a repeat of January’s World Championships final, MVG took advantage of a slightly below-par Littler to take five of the last six legs.
Littler was getting jeers from the home crowd but gave it back before the Dutchman took control.
The Nuke, who won £40k, said: “I said to Michael there, he’s playing some of his best darts. He’s had a tough time but it’s good to see him back.
“If he keeps playing like that there’s going to be some good battles.
“A good tournament but the fans wanted Michael to win this. He’s been playing the best darts this weekend.”
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