Gerwyn Price produced a stunning comeback to win the World Series title for the first time in Salzburg.
The 35-year-old won seven out of eight legs to beat Rob Cross 11-9 in Austria and extend his winning run to 17 matches.
Price showed why he is called ‘The Iceman’ to complete a hat-trick of PDC titles in the space of just six days after looking set for defeat.
“I was beating myself up all through the game. I knew Rob was going to come out firing as everyone I’ve played the last two weeks have brought their A game.
“When I was 8-4 down I had to dig deep. But I never give up anymore and as long as there is still one leg left I’ll give it a go.”
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“I stuck in, dug deep and come through. At 9-7 I knew I had to win every single leg and I did.
“I don’t care who I play in big finals now. I just want to be there. I believe my A game is better than anybody else’s.”
Wales’ top thrower had started the final as hot favourite after off reigning world champ Peter Wright 11-6 in the semis.
But 2018 world champ Cross – who had come through a turgid semi-final against former champ James Wade – found his form when it mattered and put Price under huge pressure.
Cross opened up an 8-4 lead before Price showed his fighting qualities to reel off three legs in a row before the final interval.
And – despite showing his frustration on occasion when not hitting the scores he expected – he brought it back to 9-9.
Price just missed a 118 checkout – showing his annoyance with a fan in the crowd having shouted out as he threw – but still took the next leg.
And after Cross missed a chance to take the final into a decider, Price kept his cool to clinch the title.
Price had reached the final after crushing reigning world champ Wright in the semi-final.
The Markham marksman never looked back after taking the first leg to win 11-6.
Wright was averaging over 108 but could not match Price’s checkout power as Wales’ darts ace avenged his defeat in a tetchy semi-final at the world champs.
“Once I’d broken him I knew I just had to hold my own throws,” said Price after his semi-final win.
“Give me a couple of years and I’ll be even better.”
Earlier, Price has staged a stunning comeback from 7-4 down to beat Nathan Aspinall 10-9 in their quarter-final clash.