Dutch darts sensation Kevin Doets has clinched his maiden Players Championship title, triumphing in a thrilling final against Luke Woodhouse in Hildesheim, Germany. ‘Hawkeye’ showcased exceptional form throughout the tournament, culminating in an 8-5 victory that marks a significant milestone in his career. This win firmly establishes Doets as a rising force in professional darts.
A Day of Upsets and Emerging Stars
Monday afternoon saw 112 PDC tour card holders and 16 Challenge Tour players converge for the thirteenth Players Championship event of the year. The tournament quickly became a hotbed for upsets, with several high-profile names making early exits. Darts giants like Michael Smith, Raymond van Barneveld, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, James Wade, and Danny Noppert all fell in the first two rounds. Even Dirk van Duijvenbode, despite hitting a spectacular 9-darter in his first-round match, couldn’t progress further.
The trend of surprising departures continued into the last 32, with Michael van Gerwen and Ross Smith also bowing out. This opened the door for less-fancied players to make their mark, creating an atmosphere ripe for a new champion.
Doets’ Dominant Path to Glory
Kevin Doets, known as ‘Hawkeye’, demonstrated remarkable consistency and scoring power on his journey to the final. His route included victories over:
- Mervyn King (6-4)
- Darryl Pilgrim (6-3)
- Jermaine Wattimena (6-3, with an impressive 105 average)
- Robert Owen (6-2, showcasing a stellar 107 average)
- Maik Kuivenhoven (7-1) in the semi-finals, a dominant performance that underscored his intent.
Doets reached his second Players Championship final, determined to secure his first title.
Woodhouse’s Resilient Run
Luke Woodhouse also had an impressive tournament, reaching his second floor final. His journey included a series of strong performances:
- Cameron Crabtree (6-0)
- Adam Leek (6-2)
- Mike de Decker (6-2)
- Krzysztof Ratajski (6-1)
- A notable upset against tournament favourite Chris Dobey (6-4) in the quarter-finals.
- A comfortable semi-final win over Mensur Suljovic (7-2).
The Thrilling Final: Doets vs. Woodhouse
The final match between Kevin Doets and Luke Woodhouse was a gripping encounter. The first two legs went with the darts, but it was Woodhouse who drew first blood, securing the first break of throw by checking out 80 to lead 2-1. He then consolidated his break with a 14-darter, extending his lead to 3-1. The next three legs also went with the throw, maintaining Woodhouse’s advantage.
However, Doets refused to be beaten. In leg 8, he produced a crucial 15-darter to break Woodhouse back, leveling the score at 4-4. This moment marked a significant shift in momentum. The Dutchman then unleashed a sensational run, winning three consecutive legs in 11, 15, and 12 darts, featuring superb finishes of 105 and 128, to establish a commanding 7-4 lead.
In leg 12, Doets had four match darts to seal the victory, but nerves momentarily got the better of him, allowing Woodhouse to hold his throw in 19 darts and keep his hopes alive at 7-5. But ‘Hawkeye’ was not to be denied. In the very next leg, with Woodhouse missing double 19 for a 158 checkout, Doets stepped up to the oche and calmly hit double 10 to win the final 8-5, securing his first-ever PDC senior title.
Key Match Statistics:
- Kevin Doets: Average 100.61 / Doubles 40%
- Luke Woodhouse: Average 94.26 / Doubles 50%
Tournament Knockout Stages:
Quarter-Finals:
- Maik Kuivenhoven 6-4 Andrew Gilding
- Kevin Doets 6-2 Robert Owen
- Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Chris Dobey
- Mensur Suljovic 6-4 Darius Labanauskas
Semi-Finals:
- Kevin Doets 7-1 Maik Kuivenhoven
- Luke Woodhouse 7-2 Mensur Suljovic
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
