Cameron Menzies has stormed to his second ProTour title of 2026, showcasing a masterful performance at Players Championship 29 in Den Bosch. He secured a commanding 8-4 victory over Gian van Veen in the final, earning the £15,000 top prize and marking his fourth career PDC ranking title. Menzies displayed exceptional form throughout the day, including a blistering 5-0 start in the championship match, solidifying his status as a formidable force on the professional darts circuit.
Menzies’ Path to Glory
The Scottish number two delivered a superb day of darts at the Maaspoort, winning seven matches en route to lifting the trophy. His journey was marked by consistent high-level play:
- He started strong with a 101+ average in his opening win against Nick Kenny.
- A narrow last-leg decider victory followed against Canada’s Jim Long.
- He then overcame Slovenian number one Benjamin Pratnemer with a 6-4 scoreline.
- A significant 6-4 success against top seed Wessel Nijman propelled him into his third Players Championship final in his last five events.
- In the quarter-finals, he defeated Jeffrey de Graaf 6-3.
- He secured his spot in the final by beating Kevin Doets 7-5 in the semi-finals.
A Dominant Final Performance
The final against Gian van Veen saw Menzies start with incredible intensity, racing into a remarkable 5-0 lead. During this blistering opening spell, he denied van Veen a single dart at a double, demonstrating his pinpoint accuracy and pressure. While the Dutchman managed to respond with three consecutive legs, Menzies quickly regained control, closing out the match with a decisive 8-4 victory.
“I just wanted to win a game today. To go and win another ProTour is awesome. I’m so happy,” Menzies shared after his triumph. Reflecting on his career, he added, “I think this is my fifth year on the tour and I’ve won four ProTours. That’s not bad I suppose! My aim is to make a good life for myself, but winning a major and having a good run at the World Championship would be amazing.” He attributed his success to increased effort: “I’ve put more effort in this year than I ever have because I nearly lost it all and I’m grateful to be in this position.”
Gian van Veen’s Impressive Run
Despite the final loss, Gian van Veen had an outstanding tournament, reaching his first Players Championship final of 2026. His run was highlighted by clinical finishing and strong averages:
- He began by whitewashing Tommy Morris 6-1.
- He then defeated Daniel Klose.
- A remarkable 104.78 average secured his win against Darius Labanauskas.
- In a thrilling encounter, he came from 5-3 down to edge out Nathan Aspinall in a last-leg decider.
- He advanced past Chris Dobey in the quarter-finals with a match-winning 120 checkout.
- His 7-5 win over William O’Connor secured his place in the final.
Other Noteworthy Performances
The tournament also saw other players make significant impacts:
- Kevin Doets reached his seventh Players Championship semi-final of the season, showcasing consistent form.
- William O’Connor also made it to the last four, demonstrating strong play throughout.
- Chris Dobey delivered a series of impressive ton-plus averages in his matches.
- Challenge Tour call-up Archie Self celebrated his first ProTour wins.
- However, some big names faced early exits, including world-renowned Michael van Gerwen and second seed Luke Woodhouse.
- Adding to the excitement, both Cristo Reyes (against Ian White) and Max Hopp (against Tom Bissell) achieved the rare feat of hitting a nine-dart finish during the day’s play. A nine-dart finish is darts’ equivalent of a perfect game, where a player completes a leg in the fewest possible darts – nine.
What are Players Championship Events?
Players Championship events are a series of professional darts tournaments organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). These non-televised events are crucial for players to earn prize money, which contributes to the PDC Order of Merit and qualifies them for major televised tournaments like the Players Championship Finals and the World Championship. They offer valuable ranking points and serve as a proving ground for emerging talent and a consistent battleground for established stars.
The ProTour Continues
The intense competition on the ProTour circuit is far from over. Players Championship 30 is scheduled to take place tomorrow at the same venue, continuing the race for qualification to the prestigious 2026 Players Championship Finals. The stakes remain high as players battle for ranking points and prize money.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
