Michael van Gerwen won the Masters for a fourth year in a row as he defeated Raymond van Barneveld 11-9 in a thrilling final in Milton Keynes on Sunday night.
"Raymond had a phenomenal tournament, he played well in the final and he didn't give a lot away. When you give him a finger he takes your hand, but I'm glad that I fought back.
"I'm trying my best all the time and I want to win every tournament that I play in, so I'm really glad that I can take this trophy home.
"I had a big disappointment in the World Championship but you need to be strong,. I went on holiday and came back stronger and I'm really proud of myself. I'd like to have more days like this."
Van Barneveld began the Masters as a 25/1 outsider but enjoyed a highly encouraging weekend, which saw him reach his first individual final since losing to MVG in the 2015 Masters final, and he too will feel confident ahead of the Premier League.
The 50-year-old followed up his wins over Dave Chisnall, Peter Wright and Mensur Suljovic by racing into an early 4-1 lead thanks to checkouts of 72, 76 and a 13-darter.
That was extended to 5-2 before Van Gerwen hit back to level, hitting two 177 scores in an 11-darter to break throw before a 137 finish for a 12-dart leg saw the reigning champion square the contest.
Three more legs for Van Barneveld gave him an 8-5 advantage, only for Van Gerwen to hit top gear as he fought to hold onto his title.
A 124 bull finish saw the world number one leg, before a 12-darter moved him ahead for the first time at 9-8, and though Van Barneveld battled to stay in the game, an 81 finish for a 12-darter saw Van Gerwen seal his fourth straight Masters title.
He finished the match with an average of 105.85 despite only hitting two maximums while he had a checkout percentage of 47.83%. Barney's figures were 100.55, one and 47.37%.
Van Barneveld said: "I'm really happy to reach the final. It's good to be in the final, and that has given me confidence.
"I had a hard game against Dave on Friday and today was a really long day for me. I played really well against Peter Wright but against Mensur I never felt great, and the final was alright.
"I played a good game in the final but I had too many scores of 100 instead of 140s, and Michael was awesome tonight. He was firing some top class darts at the end - his 124 turned the game.
"He's the world number one and it's so hard to beat this man. He never has a bad night, not against me, but hopefully one day it will turn my way."
Semi-final round-up
Raymond van Barneveld reached his second Masters final in four years with an 11-7 comeback win over Mensur Suljovic - but he'll need to beat Michael van Gerwen to claim his first televised singles title since 2014.
The Dutchman tailed 2-0 as Suljovic made a fast start thanks to a 121 checkout in the second leg but Barney hit back to take the next six on the trot including a 13-darter and a superb 138 finish.
Suljovic hit back with a brilliant 10-darter and a 12-dart leg to pull back to 6-4, only for the five-time world champion to land a 116 finish of his own in restoring a four-leg lead.
The Austrian also hit back to 9-6, but a 96 checkout settled any nerves from van Barneveld before he punished four missed doubles from his rival to lead 10-7, and an 11-dart leg secured his spot in the decider.
Three-time defending champion van Gerwen ensured a repeat of the 2015 final as he defeated 2017 runner-up Gary Anderson 11-5 in their last four meeting.
Anderson took out 124 as he shared the opening four legs, before Van Gerwen broke with a brilliant 95 bull finish and then hit tops for a 4-2 cushion.
Anderson finished 66 and double ten to level, but van Gerwen produced two 12-darters as he moved 7-4 up, with the Scot responding but unable to prevent the reigning champion from claiming four more legs and a spot in the final.
Quarter-final round-up
World champion Rob Cross suffered a shock defeat to Mensur Suljovic in the quarter-finals of the Masters.
Cross averaged below 100 and was particularly poor on doubles as he slipped to a 10-8 defeat in just his second match since that famous victory at Alexandra Palace at the start of the month.
Suljovic was 3-1 down early on but broke back immediately with a 12-dart leg, a feat he repeated to claw back from 5-3 down to 5-5.
A 13-dart leg saw him move ahead for the first time in the match and he followed it with a 112 finish, before breaking the Cross throw once more to lead by three.
Cross fought back to 8-7, but a missed dart at bullseye allowed Suljovic to move within one of the match and while Cross held throw one last time, the Austrian saved his best until last with a 136 finish edging his average over 100 and sealing victory.