Michael van Gerwen had his breakthrough year in 2012 in which he defeated this defending champion.
2012 Grand Slam of Darts:  Phil Taylor was the defending champion, but was beaten in the Last 16 by Michael van Gerwen, who went on to make the final, but lost 16–14 to Raymond van Barneveld. Michael van Gerwen:  However, after this initial burst onto the darting scene, Van Gerwen struggled for consistent form until his breakthrough year in 2012.
Phil Taylor