Dutchman Van Gerwen claims third world title

FILE PHOTO: Darts - Betway Premier League Darts 2016 - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales - 31/3/16 Michael van Gerwen in action. Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Peter Cziborra/Livepic/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Dutchman Michael van Gerwen breezed past Britain's Michael Smith to win his third PDC World Championship title with a 7-3 victory at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday.

Already ranked number one in the world, van Gerwen - the winner in 2014 and 2017 - took a commanding 4-0 lead before England's Smith pulled the score back to 4-2 with the help of back-to-back bullseye finishes.

Smith was unable to maintain his momentum, however, and then missed a series of doubles as the 29-year-old van Gerwen dropped only one more set on his way to victory.

FILE PHOTO: Darts - Betway Premier League Darts 2016 - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales - 31/3/16. Michael Smith reacts during the match. Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Peter Cziborra/Livepic/ File Photo

"It makes me feel the best feeling you can have. I've worked so hard for this," van Gerwen told Sky Sports.

"I was a bit nervous, of course... I think I need to go on a holiday now, I think I've earned it."

(Writing by Hugh Lawson; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)