Wessel Nijman has once again proven his unparalleled form in 2026, securing his fifth Players Championship title of the year at PC14 in Hildesheim. While Kevin Doets claimed a maiden title at PC13 just the day before, Nijman quickly restored order, matching Michael van Gerwen’s 2016 record for most PC wins in a calendar year – and he’s done it by early May! This remarkable achievement solidifies his position in the world’s Top 16 and puts him on track for even greater heights. Max Hopp also impressed, reaching his first ranking final since 2019, while the event featured a spectacular nine-darter from Richard Veenstra and surprising early exits for some top players.
Wessel Nijman: A Season of Unprecedented Dominance
Wessel Nijman’s 2026 campaign is nothing short of historic. After Kevin Doets claimed a surprise maiden title at PC13, Nijman wasted no time in restoring his dominant rhythm at PC14. He secured his fifth Players Championship title of the year, an incredible feat that already matches Michael van Gerwen’s record from 2016 for the most PC wins in a calendar year – and Nijman achieved this by early May, despite skipping several events.
His journey to the PC14 title showcased consistent brilliance:
- Opening Rounds: Nijman started strong with a 6-2 win over Daniel Klose, followed by a routine 6-1 victory against Jurjen van der Velde, and a 6-3 triumph over Niall Culleton to reach the Last 16.
- Raising the Bar: Nijman consistently elevated his game when it mattered most. He threw a **stunning 102.19 average** in a 6-4 win over Joe Cullen, then followed up with an even more impressive **102.98 average** in a 6-1 demolition of Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarter-finals.
- Semi-Final Mastery: Another 100+ average led to a comfortable 7-2 win against fourth seed Danny Noppert. This marked Nijman’s seventh consecutive Players Championship semi-final victory, while Noppert, unfortunately, lost his eighth consecutive PC semi-final.
The Final Showdown: Nijman vs. Hopp
The final against Max Hopp felt almost inevitable, given Nijman’s unstoppable form. He raced to a **rapid 6-0 lead, averaging over 110**, including a sublime 140 checkout that left spectators in awe. Hopp bravely resisted, managing to win a consolation leg in 15 darts. However, Nijman quickly sealed his landmark triumph with further legs of 13 and 15 darts, securing the **£15,000 top prize**.
Nijman had indicated at the beginning of the year that his goal was to reach the Top 16, a target he impressively achieved by April. With such dominant performances, his ambitions for the rest of his 2026 campaign are clearly much higher.
Max Hopp’s Resurgent Run to the Final
Max Hopp enjoyed a fantastic resurgence at PC14, reaching his first ranking final since 2019. His day began unusually with a forfeit win against Christian Kist, who withdrew from their match. Hopp then powered past Lewis Pride and Damon Heta with a pair of 6-4 wins to reach the Last 16.
Key victories for Hopp on his path to the final included:
- Last 16: Defeated former World Champion Rob Cross 6-2.
- Quarter-Finals: Beat Englishman Joe Hunt 6-3.
- Semi-Finals: Overcame the in-form Tom Bissell with a 7-3 victory.
Hopp’s strong performance highlights his return to top form on the PDC Pro Tour, which also included hitting a nine-dart finish at PC6 earlier in the year.
Other Notable Moments and Player Performances
- Richard Veenstra’s Nine-Darter: Veenstra produced a perfect leg in his second-round match against Leon Weber, adding to the excitement of the tournament.
- Semi-Finalists: Danny Noppert and Tom Bissell completed the semi-final lineup. Bissell had a strong run, including last-leg decider wins against Chris Dobey and Mensur Suljovic, as well as dominant 6-1 victories against Lukas Wenig and Adam Warner.
- Surprising Exits: **Michael van Gerwen**, the event’s only Premier League player present, was eliminated in the third round by Mensur Suljovic. **Gary Anderson, Mike De Decker, Dave Chisnall, Charlie Manby, and yesterday’s finalist Luke Woodhouse** all exited in the opening round.
- Cristo Reyes showed impressive form with a **108+ average** in his opening 6-1 win over Sebastian Bialecki, before a narrow 6-5 loss in the third round.
- Withdrawals: Christian Kist and Ricardo Pietreczko both withdrew during their matches. Kist’s withdrawal, hopefully not due to another injury, and Pietreczko’s, possibly a precaution amidst recent dartitis rumors, added an unexpected element to the day.
Tournament Results Overview: PC14
- Quarter-Finals: Wessel Nijman defeated Krzysztof Ratajski (6-1), Danny Noppert beat Richard Veenstra (6-2), Tom Bissell edged Mensur Suljovic (6-5), and Max Hopp overcame Joe Hunt (6-3).
- Semi-Finals: Wessel Nijman advanced past Danny Noppert (7-2), and Max Hopp defeated Tom Bissell (7-3).
The Road Ahead: A Busy May for Darts
The PDC Pro Tour continues with a packed schedule in May 2026:
- May 8-10: The Austrian Darts Open (ET6) in Graz.
- May 12-13 & 18-19: Two Players Championship double-headers in Leicester.
- Later in May: Two more European Tour events – the International Darts Open (ET7) in Riesa and the Baltic Sea Darts Open (ET8) in Kiel.
The Premier League also runs concurrently on Thursday nights, with stops in Leeds, Birmingham, and Sheffield, culminating in the Finals at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday, May 28th.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
