Daryl Gurney has claimed his first televised title, coming from behind to beat Australian Simon Whitlock 5-4 in the World Grand Prix final in Dublin on Sunday morning (NZ time).
The Northern Irishman trailed 2-0 early in a thrilling match in front of a packed house to claim the £100,000 (NZ$184,371) prize.
"I'm lost for words - I can't believe it, I really can't," said Gurney. "It feels better than anything else I've ever felt in my life.
"Dreams do come true and this is a dream. I wanted to come up here tonight and play my best game, but giving Simon the first set got me more determined.
"I still had the belief in me that I could come back when I was 2-0 down."
After losing the first two sets, the 31-year-old won three straight and had the chance to move 4-2 ahead, but a crucial miss opened the door for Whitlock, as he went on to win the next two sets to lead 4-3.
But the Auckland Darts Masters quarter-finalist held his nerve to send the match to a ninth and deciding set.
Ultimately, Whitlock ran out of gas in the final set, as Gurney became the first Irish darts player to claim a major PDC title.
Gurney headed into the tournament ranked 12th in the world, but will now rise to No. 6 in the world rankings.
Newshub.
