Raymond van Barneveld sensationally marked his return to professional darts by winning a first PDC ranking title since 2013 on just his third day back on tour in Bolton on Saturday.

Five months on from announcing his intention to return to the sport and just over a week since claiming a PDC Tour Card at Qualifying School, the five-time World Champion defeated Joe Cullen 8-6 in a captivating final at Players Championship 3.

Taking place at the Whites Hotel, where Van Barneveld famously lifted his first televised PDC title at the 2006 UK Open, the Dutchman took a huge step towards a return to TV stages, including the William Hill World Darts Championship, with the £10,000 winner's prize.

"I can't express how happy I am. Today it all went right, I had the focus I never had for the last two or three years," said Van Barneveld, whose last individual PDC crown came at the 2014 Premier League.

"I was an amateur last week and one week later I'm winning a ProTour, that's what you can do if you believe in yourself.

"I was so focused on winning that Tour Card, then I came here to the Super Series and I thought 'wow, this is another level' and I asked myself 'can I do this again?'

"Yes, of course I can if I believe. It's all about belief. I have to thank my management team who are making sure I practice every single day, which I've never done before in my life.

"When I came here I thought 'this is my place, Bolton has been good to me'.

"Joe played amazing in the final, he is a class player and I knew I had to take my chances."

The final event of a bumper weekend in Bolton takes place today, Cullen and Callan Rydz having won the first two events of the Super Series on Thursday and Friday.

Home favourite Lisa Ashton has exited in the first round of all three events so far.