Dutch darts sensation Wessel Nijman has once again proven his dominance, securing his fourth PDC Players Championship title of the season, adding to a recent Euro Tour triumph. In a gripping all-Dutch final, Nijman overcame Jermaine Wattimena, clinching his seventh career floor event win – an incredible achievement given most have come in the last six months. This victory further solidifies his status as a formidable force in the darts world.
Wessel Nijman: A Season of Dominance
Wessel Nijman is currently unstoppable in the world of professional darts. The talented Dutchman recently added his fourth PDC Players Championship title of the season to his growing collection, following his inaugural Euro Tour victory just last month. This latest triumph pushes his career total for floor-event wins to an impressive seven, with six of these remarkable victories achieved within the past six months alone.
While this particular performance might not have been the “turbo-charged” display fans have come to expect from the reigning European Darts Trophy champion – he recorded only one average above 100 throughout the afternoon – it was nonetheless a testament to his high-quality play and unwavering composure.
Nijman’s Path to Glory
Nijman’s journey to the final was marked by steady, strategic play:
- He navigated the early rounds with relative ease, with only Tom Sykes providing a significant challenge.
- In the quarter-finals, he ended Nathan Potter’s impressive run.
- He then faced Tour Card debutant Tom Bissell, who had shown significant progress by reaching his second Players Championship semi-final of the year. Despite Bissell’s strong performance, he couldn’t overcome the relentless Nijman.
Jermaine Wattimena’s Resurgent Run
On the other side of the draw, Jermaine “The Machine Gun” Wattimena, a two-time Pro Tour winner from last year, was determined to rediscover his winning touch. Although he hasn’t fully capitalized on his previous title breakthroughs, this performance, culminating in a final appearance, will undoubtedly boost his confidence.
Wattimena’s Road to the Final
Wattimena’s path was equally compelling:
- He showed incredible resilience in his quarter-final against Chris Dobey. Trailing 2-0, Wattimena dug deep, reeling off five consecutive legs to secure a crucial comeback victory.
- This set up a semi-final clash against his good friend and stablemate, Kevin Doets. In a repeat of their recent European Darts Grand Prix encounter, Wattimena once again emerged victorious.
A Nod to Consistency: Kevin Doets
A special mention must go to Kevin Doets. If there were an award for consistency on the Players Championship circuit this year, Doets would be a top contender, even without securing a title. For the second consecutive day, he reached the semi-final stage, demonstrating remarkable consistency. His elusive maiden PDC Pro Tour title feels increasingly inevitable, and for Doets, it surely cannot come soon enough.
The All-Dutch Final: A Battle of Nerves
After five hours of intense, high-quality darts, the tournament culminated in a thrilling all-Dutch final between Nijman and Wattimena. The match was a true test of nerve and skill:
- Wattimena started strong, taking an early 4-2 lead.
- Nijman responded with a timely three-leg burst to edge ahead.
- “The Machine Gun” then stopped Nijman’s momentum, leveling the scores.
The match became a tense, leg-for-leg battle. The defining moment arrived with the score at 6-5 in Nijman’s favor. Wattimena had a golden opportunity to restore parity, but agonizingly squandered six darts to level. Nijman, seizing the moment without hesitation, pounced to break Wattimena’s throw. He then held his nerve and his own throw to seal the victory, adding another remarkable chapter to what is rapidly becoming a fairytale season for him.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
