Wessel Nijman continued his impressive start to the 2026 season by clinching his fourth ranking title of the year at the Players Championship 10 held in Wigan. The Dutch prodigy demonstrated why he is a rising force on the darts circuit, overcoming former Grand Slam champion Scott Waites with a decisive 8‑2 victory in the tournament’s final on Tuesday. This triumph not only added another trophy to his burgeoning collection but also propelled him back to the top of the Players Championship rankings after a brief interlude at the summit.
Earlier in the week, Chris Dobey had briefly displaced Nijman from the number‑one spot following his win at Players Championship Nine on Monday. However, Nijman answered the challenge emphatically at the Robin Park Tennis Centre, delivering a performance that left little doubt about his form and determination.
After a hard‑fought opening‑round win over Martin Lukeman, the 25‑year‑old Dutchman eliminated Monday’s runner‑up, Justin Hood, securing his place in the third round and setting the stage for a dominant run. Nijman’s path to the final was marked by a series of high‑scoring displays.
He opened his quarter‑final against Adam Gawlas with a near‑perfect average of almost 110 in a six‑leg demolition. He then faced fellow Dutchman Niels Zonneveld, where he maintained his momentum with another commanding win. In the last‑eight, Nijman faced Beau Greaves, a rising star on the women’s circuit, and posted an average of 109.71, cruising to a 6‑4 victory.
The semi‑final against Luke Woodhouse saw him sustain his high standards, averaging 108.46 to claim a 6‑4 win and a place in the championship match. The final against Scott Waites unfolded with Nijman taking an early advantage after capitalising on a slow start from the former champion.
He quickly established a lead, setting the tone for what would become a one‑sided affair. Although Waites managed to halve the deficit in the third leg, Nijman responded with a flawless 12‑dart finish to go up 3‑1.
This sparked a five‑leg streak that saw him surge to a 7‑1 lead. Waites did manage a comfortable hold of throw in the ninth leg, narrowing the gap, but Nijman’s response—a 15‑dart hold—sealed the match, finishing with an impressive 101.34 average.
Reflecting on his performance, Nijman described the event as perhaps the best floor tournament he had played all year. "I was hitting averages above 105 throughout the day, which made it feel like a perfect day for me," he said. "When I broke again to make it 4‑1, I felt a huge lift that carried me through the rest of the match. I’m very pleased with how I played in the final and across the whole day.
Events like this seem to suit my game." Nijman’s recent success is not limited to this victory. He also claimed titles at Players Championships Two and Eight, and last month he achieved his first major breakthrough on a big stage by winning the European Darts Trophy. Looking ahead, he has set his sights on adding more silverware at the upcoming European Darts Grand Prix.
"When I’m in that zone and playing well, I could keep going all day," he added, noting his rise to 18th place on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder. "My goal for the year is to break into the top 16 as early as possible. I suffered early exits in Munich and Wieze, but I’m confident I can improve my performance in Sindelfingen this weekend." The tournament also highlighted Beau Greaves’ consistency, as she reached back‑to‑back quarter‑finals with impressive wins over Germany’s No 1 Martin Schindler and Scotland’s Cameron Menzies.
The full results from the event illustrate the depth of competition: **Last‑16** - Wessel Nijman 6‑3 Niels Zonneveld - Beau Greaves 6‑4 Cameron Menzies - Luke Woodhouse 6‑4 Scott Williams - Joe Hunt 6‑5 Josh Rock - Chris Dobey 6‑4 Daniel Klose - Karel Sedlacek 6‑4 James Hurrell - Scott Waites 6‑4 Brendan Dolan - Kevin Doets 6‑0 Gabriel Clemens **Quarter‑Finals** - Wessel Nijman 6‑2 Beau Greaves - Luke Woodhouse 6‑4 Joe Hunt - Karel Sedlacek 6‑5 Chris Dobey - Scott Waites 6‑4 Kevin Doets **Semi‑Finals** - Wessel Nijman 7‑4 Luke Woodhouse - Scott Waites 7‑5 Karel Sedlacek **Final** - Wessel Nijman 8‑2 Scott Waites Beyond the Players Championship, fans can look forward to the Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries will aim to retain his title. The league’s fixtures run every Thursday until May and are broadcast on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW for darts and other top‑level sports. Overall, Nijman’s fourth ranking win of the year underscores his rapid ascent in professional darts. His ability to maintain high averages, execute clinical finishes, and bounce back from setbacks positions him as a serious contender for future major titles.
As the season progresses, his performances will be closely watched by both pundits and supporters eager to see if he can fulfill his ambition of breaking into the top‑16 and perhaps even challenge for world honours in the near future.