Gerwyn Price, known as ‘The Iceman’, delivered an electrifying performance at Players Championship 6, dominating the competition to claim the title and surge to the top of the 2026 PDC Players Championship Order of Merit. His remarkable run culminated in an emphatic 8-1 victory over Andrew Gilding in the final, showcasing his return to formidable form. The tournament also saw a historic moment with Beau Greaves hitting the first-ever nine-dart finish by a woman in a PDC ProTour event, adding to the day’s drama and excitement.
Price’s Unstoppable March to Victory
Gerwyn Price’s triumph at the Mattioli Arena was nothing short of spectacular. Throughout the entire day, the Welsh superstar dropped a mere 14 legs, a testament to his consistent excellence. His tournament average soared to an impressive 102.82, underscoring the quality of his darts.
This victory marks a significant turnaround for Price, who had previously shown flashes of brilliance but fell short in recent events, including a semi-final exit at Players Championship 4 and a narrow loss in the final of Players Championship 2. This time, he went one better, securing the coveted title.
Price’s path to the final was paved with dominant wins:
- He kicked off with back-to-back 6-1 demolitions of Cristo Reyes and Maik Kuivenhoven, averaging 101 and 107.85 respectively.
- A strong 6-2 victory followed against Lukas Wenig.
- ‘The Iceman’ then shifted into an even higher gear, posting a stunning 109.48 average to overcome Scott Waites 6-1.
- In the quarter-finals, he defeated Kevin Doets 6-4 with another exceptional 108.59 average.
- The semi-final saw a highly anticipated clash with his Welsh World Cup partner, Jonny Clayton. Price maintained his imperious form, securing a 7-4 win with a 104.47 average, despite Clayton having recently broken a losing streak against him.
The final against Andrew Gilding was a masterclass. Price quickly established a 3-0 lead, including a clinical 104 checkout on D20 and consecutive 15-darters. Although Gilding managed to get on the scoreboard, Price swept the remaining five legs, sealing the £15,000 top prize with a spectacular 153 finish in the penultimate leg.
A Champion’s Mindset: Price’s Post-Win Thoughts
Reflecting on his victory, Price expressed his satisfaction and growing confidence. “I thought I played decent today,” he stated. “There were one or two games where I wasn’t at my best – even in the final – but I had enough in the tank.”
Looking ahead to his Premier League commitments, he added, “It’s a big night for me in the Premier League, so it’s great to get a bit of confidence by winning this and I’m looking forward to tomorrow now.”
Price also spoke about his renewed determination for the season: “I’m feeling good. Two years ago I had the worst year I’ve ever had in the PDC, so I’m defending absolutely nothing this year… Whoever is above me, I’m going to catch them!” This statement highlights his ambition to reclaim his position at the very top of the darts world.
Gilding’s Impressive Run to the Final
Andrew Gilding, a former UK Open champion, demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill to reach his first Players Championship final since April 2022. His journey included hard-fought victories over formidable opponents:
- He overcame Scott Williams, Leon Weber, and Martijn Dragt in challenging early rounds.
- A crucial win against Kim Huybrechts saw him fire in a 100+ average.
- He then edged past yesterday’s PC5 champion, Ross Smith, in the quarter-finals, converting a nerveless 105 combination.
- Gilding’s semi-final clash against Thibault Tricole was another nail-biter, decided in a last-leg decider, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
Beyond the Final: Other Tournament Highlights
Players Championship 6 was rich with drama and groundbreaking moments:
- Beau Greaves Makes History: The 22-year-old sensation became the first woman to achieve a nine-dart finish in a PDC ProTour event during her second-round tie against Mensur Suljovic. A nine-darter is the perfect leg in darts, achieved in the minimum nine throws, and is a rare and celebrated feat.
- Max Hopp’s Nine-Darter: Not to be outdone, Max Hopp also hit a nine-dart finish in his third-round match against Thibault Tricole, though he ultimately lost the high-quality contest.
- David Sharp’s Dream Run: Newly minted PDC Tour Card Holder David Sharp enjoyed a remarkable run, defeating top players like Peter Wright, Beau Greaves, and Alan Soutar to reach his first-ever Players Championship quarter-final.
- Thibault Tricole’s Strong Showing: The Frenchman equalled his career-best Pro Tour performance by reaching the semi-finals, impressively defying Hopp’s nine-darter in the Last 32.
- Christian Kist’s Consistency: Kist reached his second quarter-final in as many days, demonstrating strong form before being eliminated by Jonny Clayton.
Looking Ahead: The Darts Calendar Continues
The 2026 PDC Pro Tour promises more thrilling action. Darts fans can look forward to the European Darts Trophy (ET2) in Gottingen, Germany, from March 13-15. Following that, the PDC Players Championship events 7 and 8 will return to Leicester’s Mattioli Arena from March 30-31, where players will continue their quest for ranking points and titles.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
