Hollywood’s Encore: Chris Dobey Dominates Wigan to Claim Players Championship 3 Title!
Chris Dobey, affectionately known as ‘Hollywood’, delivered a masterclass performance to secure his ninth Players Championship title, emphatically defeating Stephen Bunting 8-1 in the Players Championship 3 final in Wigan. The tournament was a rollercoaster of upsets and stellar darts, seeing early exits for major players like Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries, while emerging talents and consistent performers battled it out. Dobey’s unwavering brilliance throughout the day culminated in a spectacular final showing, firmly establishing him as a formidable force on the PDC Pro Tour.
The Pro Tour Continues: Action Shifts to Wigan
Following the thrilling start to the PDC Pro Tour in Hildesheim last week, the darting action moved to Wigan for Players Championship 3. This event followed previous victories by James Wade and Wessel Nijman, setting the stage for more intense competition.
However, several high-profile players were notably absent from the oche in Wigan, including former world champion Michael van Gerwen, teenage sensation Luke Littler, darts legend Gary Anderson, and consistent performers Ryan Searle and Martin Schindler. Their absence opened doors for others to shine.
Early Upsets and Standout Performances
The tournament wasted no time in delivering drama:
- Shock Exit for Price: One of the biggest surprises came in the first round as Gerwyn Price, a finalist just last week, suffered an unexpected defeat to Adam Lipscombe. ‘The Iceman’ couldn’t replicate his recent form.
- Dutch Fightbacks: Jermaine Wattimena and Dirk van Duijvenbode both demonstrated resilience, overturning deficits to secure their first-round victories.
- Veteran Struggles Continue: Dimitri van den Bergh endured another disappointing first-round exit with an average of just 76. Former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright also continued their recent struggles, bowing out early.
- Impressive Averages: Niels Zonneveld caught the eye with a superb 105.88 average in his winning first-round match. In the second round, Kevin Doets showcased incredible form, recording an astonishing 113.05 average in his 6-1 win over Owen Bates.
Round two also saw Gian van Veen exit after a challenging start to the 2026 Pro Tour, while Alexander Merkx was defeated by a strong Stephen Bunting, who averaged 105.41.
The Race to the Quarter-Finals
As the day progressed, the intensity ramped up:
- More Big Names Fall: Luke Humphries, another top player, was surprisingly knocked out by Ritchie Edhouse in the third round.
- Dutch Hopes: Kevin Doets continued his excellent run, defeating fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman in an all-Dutch clash, and later secured his spot in the quarter-finals by beating Niko Springer.
- Bunting’s Ascent: Stephen Bunting, ‘The Bullet’, maintained his strong form, defeating Danny Noppert in a tightly contested match to advance.
Ultimately, Dutch success in Wigan was cut short when Kevin Doets, after his impressive journey, was stopped in the quarter-finals by James Wade. ‘The Machine’ himself had shown remarkable tenacity earlier in the day, surviving multiple match darts to stay in the competition.
Semifinal Showdowns Set the Stage
The semi-finals delivered high-stakes drama:
- Bunting’s Epic Comeback: Stephen Bunting, who had previously overcome Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals, faced James Wade. In a thrilling encounter, Bunting found himself trailing 2-6 but mounted an incredible comeback to win 7-6, securing his place in the final.
- Dobey’s Dominance: On the other side of the draw, Chris Dobey, ‘Hollywood’, continued his commanding performance. He comfortably defeated Tom Bissell 7-2, looking sharp and focused as he marched into the final.
Hollywood’s Grand Finale: Dobey’s Ninth Title
The final pitted Chris Dobey against Stephen Bunting. From the outset, Dobey asserted his authority, showcasing the form that had carried him through the day.
Dobey started the final in devastating fashion, winning the first five legs consecutively. Bunting struggled to find his rhythm, recording an average just above 80 during this crucial period. While ‘The Bullet’ eventually managed to get a leg on the scoreboard, it was too little, too late to turn the tide.
Chris Dobey closed out the match with an emphatic 8-1 victory, sealing his ninth Players Championship title. It was a performance that underscored his skill, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure, truly earning him the nickname ‘Hollywood’.
Tournament at a Glance: Key Results
Quarter-Finals
- Tom Bissell 6-4 Jim Long
- Chris Dobey 6-5 Darryl Pilgrim
- Stephen Bunting 6-3 Jonny Clayton
- Kevin Doets 4-6 James Wade
Semi-Finals
- Tom Bissell 2-7 Chris Dobey
- Stephen Bunting 7-6 James Wade
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
