MICHAEL VAN GERWEN won Players Championship 27 but Nathan Aspinall faces a fine after an angry outburst.
The three-time world champion Dutchman returned to winning ways, beating Gerwyn Price 8-4 in the final in Wigan on Tuesday.
But it was a day of high drama as Aspinall smashed his dart into the board after missing double 10 in a clash with Madars Razma.
The Stockport star clearly apologised for his moment of petulance but is sure to face a rap from the Darts Regulation Authority.
There was also a shock defeat for Luke Littler, as he crashed out in the last 64 round 6-2 to World No140 Lee Cocks.
However it was a much-needed win for Van Gerwen after his early whitewash exit in the World Grand Prix to Daryl Gurney.
On a recent illness, he revealed: “I was away for three weeks.
“I two times had different antibiotics because I had something in my stomach. Sometimes hell goes first.
“You have to get rid of it because you know you are on a good roll. You need to make sure you keep battling, you keep fighting.
“My energy level has to do a little bit better.
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“Overall I can’t complain and I won today. I won, who cares?
“These are difficult when you have been doing them for 18 or 19 years.
“I’ve played this game for a long time but I love it. I love what I do and I think that’s the key.”
Aspinall has only recently returned to the sport after suffering form a “tennis elbow” type injury.
