PDC: Mervyn King wins his first PDC European Darts Grand Prix title

Mervyn King defeated Michael Smith 6-5 to win his first PDC European Tour title at the European Darts Grand Prix, edging a dramatic final to claim the £20,000 first prize in Sindelfingen.

King has previously lost in three European Tour finals, including against Steve Beaton on the Glaspalast stage 12 months ago, but finally claimed glory as he edged out Smith in a thrilling final.

The Norfolk ace had followed up Saturday's second round win over Andrew Gilding by defeating Austrian prospect Rowby-John Rodriguez 6-3 in Sunday afternoon's third round.

He then whitewashed Robert Thornton with a clinical quarter-final performance, and was taken all the way by Simon Whitlock in the semi-finals, in a game which saw all 11 legs eventually go with throw.

King took out 106 and 104 in the early stages and added a 12-darter, while Whitlock missed double 15 for a nine-darter as he forced a deciding leg, which the Englishman won with a superb 13-dart leg.

King carried that form into the final but it took him four attempts to land double 16 and the title after White missed a 102 checkout in between. 

"It's fantastic, it feels absolutely awesome," said King after claiming his biggest title since joining the PDC circuit almost eight years ago."I had a break during August - I just needed it and I felt I was burning myself out - but I've come back and this has happened!

"In the previous finals I ran out of steam and wasn't really challenging, but in this one I was there. He missed a couple of doubles and I took full advantage of it - I pounced on him and was there ready and hungry.

"It's never plain sailing and at 3-0 up I was never thinking about winning because the standard's so high now and players can rattle off ten-darters or 11-darters like they're going out of fashion, so to actually get over the line is brilliant.

"I've never been the most consistent player in the world, but this is a great start to the latter part of the season. When you know you're the last man standing, in a world-class field, is unbelievable."