After little-known Belgian Mike De Decker produced the efficiency of his life to assert the World Grand Prix title in Leicester on Sunday, is he now a shoo-in for subsequent yr’s Premier League?
Belgian De Decker held off a fightback from defending champion Luke Humphries to win an epic last 6-4 and declare his first main title.
De Decker, who was thirty sixth within the PDC Order of Benefit earlier than his profitable run on the Mattioli Enviornment, lived as much as his ‘Actual Deal’ nickname as he took dwelling the winner’s cheque for £120,000, however De Decker admits he will not be prepared for the Premier League after seeing the impact on others.
“I’m a major champion and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing for the last 18 months and hopefully there’s many more of these trophies coming my way. To be honest, I don’t think I’m ready for the Premier League yet. It’s week after week against the top eight in the world, every single week,” stated De Decker.
“I’ve seen it with Kim [Huybrechts], I’ve seen it with Dimitri [Van den Bergh] and Jelle [Klaasen], who is a good friend. I don’t know, but if they put me in I’ll say yes a hundred per cent, but if they don’t put me in, then fine. Maybe next year, or the year after. It’s not up to me.”
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Mike De Decker lifted the World Grand Prix trophy to a rousing rendition of his walk-on music, Three Little Birds by Bob Marley!
The game’s prime stars – together with reigning champion Luke Littler and world No 1 Humphries are assured to participate, whereas De Decker’s fellow Belgian Van den Bergh – winner of the 2024 UK Open – will even be within the combine.
Humphries stated: “He is put himself within the combine for the Premier League and I do not assume they’ll low cost him. It might be a battle between him and Van den Bergh for a spot as a result of they’ve each received a significant, however perhaps it may be time to provide Mike an opportunity.
“You can’t just win one major tournament and expect to be in. Even if he doesn’t win another major or make a final or semi, he just has to show that willingness to play brilliant darts.
“Say he is in all these tournaments and he wins a pair enjoying good after which will get edged out, you might have simply bought to point out that degree and it stays there as a result of if he has Worlds I might put him in to be trustworthy. It is at all times good to provide another person an opportunity and see how they do. I feel he’d relish the possibility.
“You can only put him in and see how it goes. Dimitri has had a go. It worked out well for him once but not the other times. I don’t think he’s played his best darts because I think there’s another level in Mike. He’s an incredible scorer.
“He is bought to maintain proving it like I needed to and I did. Even when he does not win any of the subsequent 4 tournaments, I nonetheless assume he might need an important shout.”
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Try the very best motion from Finals Night time of the Premier League in London which was received by teenager Luke Littler
The brand new Premier League season kicks off in Belfast on Thursday, February 6, reside on Sky Sports activities as darts’ largest social gathering returns to an unchanged line-up of 17 venues throughout the UK and Europe all the best way till Might’s season-ending Play-Offs at London’s O2.
2025 BetMGM Premier League dates
Night time 1 – The SSE Enviornment, Belfast – February 6
Night time 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – February 13
Night time 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – February 20
Night time 4 – Westpoint Exeter – February 27
Night time 5 – The Brighton Centre – March 6
Night time 6 – Motorpoint Enviornment, Nottingham – March 13
Night time 7 – Utilita Enviornment, Cardiff – March 20
Night time 8 – Utilita Enviornment, Newcastle – March 27
Night time 9 – Uber Enviornment, Berlin – April 3
Night time 10 – AO Enviornment, Manchester – April 10
Night time 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – April 17
Night time 12 – M&S Financial institution Enviornment, Liverpool – April 24
Night time 13 – Utilita Enviornment, Birmingham, Might 1
Night time 14 – First Direct Enviornment, Leeds – Might 8
Night time 15 – P&J Reside, Aberdeen – Might 15
Night time 16 – Utilita Enviornment, Sheffield – Might 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Might 29
What reside darts is subsequent on Sky Sports activities?
Luke Humphries claimed his maiden Grand Slam of Darts title final yr
Reside darts returns to Sky Sports activities with the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton from November 9-17 as Luke Humphries appears to defend his title.
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Luke Humphries nailed this 91 end to defeat Rob Cross 16-8 and win his first Grand Slam of Darts title
Consideration then switches to the flip of the yr and the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, starting on December 15, because the darts calendar continues to offer pleasure all year long – and you’ll get pleasure from the perfect right here reside on Sky Sports activities.
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