Jimmy van Schie, the reigning WDF World Champion, has announced his return to top form by sensationally winning the Dutch Open warm-up tournament in Assen. This fiercely contested event saw over 1250 players battle it out on the opening day, with Van Schie ultimately emerging victorious after a dominant display, culminating in a thrilling final against fellow PDC player Wesley Plaisier. His triumph sets a powerful precedent for his upcoming debut as a Tour Card holder on the Pro Tour.
The Road to Victory: A Massive Field of Contenders
The Dutch Open 2026 officially kicked off on Thursday morning at 10:00 AM, drawing a staggering 1254 players to the open warm-up tournament. The field was packed with talent, including a significant number of PDC Tour Card holders, who were also eligible to participate in the pairs tournament later in the event. The early stages saw some notable upsets and intense matches.
Early Exits and Rising Stars
Even established names found themselves exiting earlier than expected. For instance, Dennie Olde Kalter was defeated in the Last 256 by Ewoud Renes (3-1). On the WDF circuit, prominent players like Corné Groenveld (lost in Last 64, 3-1 to Martijn Kleermaker) and Moreno Blom (defeated in Last 128, 3-2 by Dennie de Jong) also saw their campaigns end before the decisive stages.
The Knockout Stages: Intensity Rises
As the tournament progressed, the competition grew even fiercer. From the Last 32, the pace quickened, and more familiar names began to fall. Former Tour Card holders Geert Nentjes (lost 3-2 to Stefano van Zeele) and Jitse van der Wal (lost 3-2 to Javanico Jansen) were eliminated. A round later, the journey ended for Andy Baetens and Jurjen van der Velde, showing the depth of talent in the field.
Quarter-Final Showdowns
By the quarter-finals, only two PDC players remained: Jimmy van Schie and Wesley Plaisier, who had both dominated their respective paths throughout the day. The results were:
- Jimmy van Schie 4-0 Tom van den Hoogen
- Danny van Klompenburg 4-3 Jelle Klaasen
- Wesley van Trijp 4-2 Kurijn Boer
- Wesley Plaisier 4-1 Patrick Maat
Semi-Final Drama
The semi-finals delivered high-stakes darts. Jimmy van Schie continued his relentless march, securing a dominant win:
- Jimmy van Schie 4-0 Danny van Klompenburg
The other semi-final was a nail-biter, with Wesley Plaisier pushed to the absolute limit. He needed a decisive leg against Wesley van Trijp, ultimately clinching victory with a magnificent 12-darter – a leg completed in just 12 throws – showcasing his composure under pressure.
- Wesley Plaisier 4-3 Wesley van Trijp
The Grand Final: Van Schie vs. Plaisier
The final pitted the two dominant forces of the day against each other. Jimmy van Schie started strong, taking the first leg. However, Plaisier quickly seized the initiative, breaking Van Schie’s throw with a 13-darter and then holding his own leg. He extended his lead further, reaching 3-1 with a superb 112-finish (checking out 112 with three darts, typically T20, S12, D20 or similar).
A Champion’s Statement
Just when it seemed Plaisier was pulling away, he faltered in the next leg, unable to finish within 15 darts. This opened the door for Van Schie, who capitalized instantly by breaking back. From that moment, the tall Dutchman was unstoppable. He reeled off three consecutive legs with exceptional scoring and finishing: 15, 17, and 14 darts, sealing the title with an emphatic run. This victory, just a week before his debut as a Tour Card holder on the professional Pro Tour, serves as a powerful statement of his current top form and readiness for the highest level of darts.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
