Michael van Gerwen won the Premier League Darts title in 2013
Michael van Gerwen became the first player to confirm his place in next month's Premier League play-offs, thrashing James Wade 7-0 in Cardiff.
The Dutchman, who turns 26 on Saturday, lost his second match 7-5 to reigning PDC world champion Gary Anderson but was already guaranteed a top-four spot.
The other seven competitors can still qualify for the play-offs, with three rounds of fixtures remaining.
St Helens' Stephen Bunting hammered Anderson 7-1 to maintain his hopes.
Bunting, the 2014 BDO world champion, is only three points off the final play-off position, which is currently occupied by Phil Taylor, who drew 6-6 with fellow Stoke-on-Trent player Adrian Lewis.
St Helens-born Dave Chisnall slipped to a 7-5 defeat by Raymond van Barneveld but remains second in the table, three points behind Van Gerwen and one clear of Anderson.
The play-offs take place in London on 21 May.
Premier League table - Week 12 | ||
|---|---|---|
Played | Points | |
Michael van Gerwen | 13 | 20 |
Dave Chisnall | 13 | 17 |
Gary Anderson | 13 | 16 |
Phil Taylor | 13 | 13 |
Raymond van Barneveld | 12 | 12 |
Adrian Lewis | 12 | 12 |
Stephen Bunting | 13 | 10 |
James Wade | 13 | 10 |
Top four players after 16 matches qualify for play-offs | ||
- Published24 April 2015
- Published24 April 2015
- Published23 April 2015
- Published2 January 2015
- Published6 January 2015
- Published13 December 2012
