Michael van Gerwen has wasted absolutely no time making headlines at the historic inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters. The Dutch superstar followed up a crushing first round victory with a tongue in cheek demand for a statue.
He jokingly insisted that his immense contribution to the global growth of darts warrants a permanent monument in PDC President Barry Hearn’s private garden. This comment came moments after he stormed into the quarterfinals with a comprehensive win.
Green Machine Dominates and Delivers Iconic Interview
The three time World Champion arrived in the Middle East looking to continue his recent resurgence in form. He faced off against Indian qualifier Nitin Kumar in the opening round.
The match was a one sided affair from the very first dart thrown. Van Gerwen averaged well and punished every mistake his opponent made.
He closed out the game with a comfortable 6-1 scoreline. This victory sets up a mouth watering quarterfinal clash against crowd favorite Stephen Bunting.
Speaking to the press immediately after the match, Van Gerwen was in high spirits. He reflected on his longevity in the World Series of Darts circuit.
The Dutchman noted that this was his 51st appearance in a World Series event. He used this statistic to poke fun at the PDC hierarchy.
He remarked with a wide smile:
“I deserve a statue in Barry’s [Hearn] garden. No, I’m not going to give myself that credit, I just try to do what I love the most, playing on the stage. That’s what I try to do.”
This comment highlights the relaxed yet confident mood of the Green Machine. He seems to be enjoying his darts again after a busy start to the 2026 season.
World Series of Darts Expands to Saudi Arabia
This tournament marks a significant milestone for the Professional Darts Corporation. It is the very first time the PDC has staged a competitive event in Saudi Arabia.
The event follows the massive success of the Bahrain Darts Masters which took place earlier in the month. Van Gerwen actually won that event in Bahrain to kickstart his year.
Critics and fans have discussed the rapid global expansion of the sport. Van Gerwen was quick to defend the decision to bring top tier darts to new territories.
He believes these events are vital for the health of the game.
“If you ask me realistically, of course the world ranking tournaments are the most important,” Van Gerwen admitted honestly. “But for the global sport of darts, tournaments like these are really important.”
The atmosphere inside the venue was electric. Fans in the region are getting their first taste of the unique energy that a live darts event provides.
Key Facts About The Saudi Arabia Darts Masters:
- Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Format: World Series of Darts (Invited stars vs Regional qualifiers)
- Defending Champ: Inaugural event (No defender)
- Prize Money: Part of the global World Series tour
- Significance: First professional darts event in the country
The expansion into the Middle East represents a major commercial shift for the sport. It opens up darts to a completely new audience and potential sponsorship market.
Quarterfinal Clash With Stephen Bunting Awaits
The easy win over Kumar was just the warm up for Van Gerwen. The challenge gets significantly harder in the next round.
He will face the current Masters champion Stephen Bunting. Bunting has been playing some of the best darts of his life over the last eighteen months.
Bunting is known as “The Bullet” and plays with an incredibly light dart. His scoring power can match anyone in the world when he finds his rhythm.
Van Gerwen knows he cannot afford any slip ups.
The history between these two players is deep. They have played many high profile matches on the biggest stages in the world.
Fans are expecting a high scoring game. Both players are known for their ability to hit 180s in bunches.
The quarterfinal format is short which adds to the pressure. In a short race, a slow start can be fatal for even the best players.
Bunting will likely have the crowd on his side due to his popularity. Van Gerwen often thrives when he has to play the villain role.
Van Gerwen Continues to Chase History
It is easy to forget how long Michael van Gerwen has been at the top. He has been the dominant force in darts for over a decade.
His comment about the statue was a joke but it held a kernel of truth. Few players have done more to promote the sport globally than he has.
He travels to every corner of the globe to promote the brand. From New York to New Zealand and now Saudi Arabia, he is always the headline act.
His hunger for titles remains unsatisfied despite his full trophy cabinet.
He wants to add the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters trophy to his collection. Winning back to back titles in the Middle East would send a massive message to his rivals.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a fascinating battle for supremacy. New talents like Luke Littler are pushing the established guard harder than ever.
Van Gerwen seems ready for the fight. His performance against Kumar showed he is sharp and focused.
His interview showed he is relaxed and confident. A relaxed Michael van Gerwen is usually a dangerous Michael van Gerwen.
The action continues tomorrow with the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final all played in one session. It promises to be a dramatic conclusion to a historic weekend for the sport.
The eyes of the sporting world are currently fixed on the oche in Riyadh.
Whatever happens next, Van Gerwen has already ensured he is the talking point of the tournament. Whether he gets his statue remains to be seen.
