The three-time world champion beat fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode 8-5 in the final, averaging 106.57 to claim his first title on the ProTour since April 2025.
Van Gerwen’s run included an outstanding semi-final display against Martin Schindler, where he reeled off seven straight legs in a 7-0 victory while posting a 122.34 average - the highest recorded on the ProTour this year.
He also produced ton-plus averages against Beau Greaves and Gian van Veen, although his day began less emphatically with three successive 6-4 wins over Dennie Olde Kalter, Adam Lipscombe and Ross Smith.
"For me, it’s more important after a long time that I managed to win a ProTour (title) today. It means a lot," Van Gerwen said.
"I believe in my own ability, and I think I’m playing some good darts.
"The Premier League is waiting around the corner as well, but for me at the moment, the ranking tournaments are really important.
"I love what I do, and especially when I play like this, I love it even more!"
Van Gerwen appeared to be in complete control of the final after winning the opening three legs, extending a 12-leg winning streak carried over from earlier rounds.
Van Duijvenbode responded by taking five of the next seven legs to level at 5-5, but the world number three regained control with successive 11-dart legs before sealing victory on double four.
"I’m quite proud of Dirk," Van Gerwen added. "He’s going through a tough time, probably like me, so to have both of us in the final is good for Dutch darts.
"We both really needed it also for our form and the rest of the year. To beat him in a fantastic game like this, it’s nice."
Van Duijvenbode, chasing a first Players Championship title since 2023, impressed throughout the day with victories over Chris Dobey, Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting, recovering from 3-0 down to beat Bunting in the semi-finals.
Greaves, winner of Players Championship 11 last month, reached another quarter-final after big wins against Damon Heta and then Dave Chisnall.
Results
Last 16
Martin Schindler 6-5 Wessel Nijman
Ritchie Edhouse 6-2 Keane Barry
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Gian van Veen
Beau Greaves 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Chris Dobey
Josh Rock 6-5 Derek Coulson
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Andy Boulton
Joe Cullen 6-2 Kim Huybrechts
Quarter-finals
Martin Schindler 6-2 Ritchie Edhouse
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Beau Greaves
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Josh Rock
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Joe Cullen
Semi-finals
Michael van Gerwen 7-0 Martin Schindler
Dirk van Duijvenbode 7-5 Stephen Bunting
Final
Michael van Gerwen 8-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
