Michael van Gerwen has won his first Auckland Darts Masters title, after beating Raymond van Barneveld 11-4 in an all-Dutch final.
In a scintillating display of darts at the Trusts Arena in Henderson, the 29-year-old never seemed threatened, as he raced out to a 4-1 lead at the first break.
Van Gerwen extended his lead to 6-1, before Van Barneveld began his fightback, winning three legs on the bounce to trail 6-4 at the second intermission.
But the result was never in doubt, as the world number one went onto win the next five legs to secure the title. It could have been a closer match, but Van Barneveld struggled with his finishing.
"I'm delighted to win this title for the first time," said Van Gerwen, after his impressive victory.
"There have been a few tournaments since I have won and I know I don't need to send any messages, but sometimes it is nice to let everyone know who is boss.
"The standard of darts is getting better and better on this side of the world, and it is important for the sport that it keeps growing.
"Now we head to Melbourne and it’s another chance for me to pick up a title - I feel good and ready to go."
The man from Boxtel was the best all weekend, averaging more than 100 for the tournament, while only losing 13 legs in the City of Sails.
Earlier on in the evening, Van Gerwen dispatched Peter Wright to book his place in the final, beating the Scot 10-3.
The two-time world champion hit a 170 and 164 finishes in the middle of the match. He raced out to a 7-0 lead, before Wright got on the board, but it was too little, too late.
Van Barneveld secured his spot in the final with a convincing 10-5 win over Simon Whitlock
In a back-and-forth contest early on, Van Barneveld broke Whitlock's throw in the seventh leg and never looked back, winning six of the next eight legs.
The Dutch legend took out four ton-plus finishes, while averaging 102.79 against Whitlock.
The world series returns on August 10-12 in Melbourne at the Hisense Arena, before the tour downunder concludes in Brisbane on August 17-19.
Semi-finals
Simon Whitlock lost to Raymond van Barneveld 5-10
Michael van Gerwen beat Peter Wright 10-3
Best of 19 legs
Final
Raymond van Barneveld lost to Michael van Gerwen 4-11
Best of 21 legs
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