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. In a commanding performance on Tuesday, the Dutchman overcame former Grand Slam of Darts champion Scott Waites with a decisive 8-2 scoreline, reclaiming the top spot on the Players Championship leaderboard.
The road to the final was anything but straightforward. After a solid opening win over Martin Lukeman, Nijman faced Monday's runner‑up Justin Hood in the second round and dispatched him with ease, securing his place in the third round and setting the tone for a dominant run. His next opponent, Adam Gawlas, fell victim to an almost flawless display – Nijman averaged just under 110 across six legs, effectively dismantling Gawlas before moving on to a showdown with fellow Dutchman Niels Zonneveld.
The match against Zonneveld was another showcase of Nijman's consistency, as he maintained a high scoring rate and progressed without much trouble. In the quarter‑finals, Nijman met Beau Greaves, a rising star who had already impressed with back‑to‑back quarter‑final appearances.
The 25‑year‑old Dutchman continued his high‑scoring spree, posting an average of 109.71 to cruise past Greaves 6‑4. The semi‑final against Luke Woodhouse saw Nijman sustain his momentum, posting a 108.46 average and securing a 6‑4 victory that put him into the championship match. The final against Scott Waites began with Waites making an early break, but Nijman quickly re‑established control. He responded with a spectacular 12‑dart finish to go up 3‑1, then launched a five‑leg run that left him 7‑1 ahead.
Although Waites managed a respectable hold of throw in the ninth leg, it was merely a consolation as Nijman answered with a 15‑dart hold and closed the match 8‑2, finishing with a remarkable 101.34 average. Reflecting on his performance, Nijman described the event as possibly "the best floor event I've played all year," noting that he posted several averages above 105 and felt a strong sense of confidence after breaking away to a 4‑1 lead.
He praised the consistency of his play throughout the day and suggested that this type of tournament format suits his game well. Beyond this victory, Nijman also celebrated a breakthrough on the larger stage last month, winning the European Darts Trophy for the first time. He now has his sights set on the upcoming European Darts Grand Prix, hoping to add further trophies to his collection.
"When I'm in that zone and playing good, I could play all day like that," he said, emphasizing his ambition to break into the top 16 of the PDC Werner Rankings. Currently sitting at 18th, he believes that reaching the top 16 earlier in the season will provide a significant boost to his career. Nijman's recent form has not been without its setbacks; he suffered early exits in Munich and Wieze, losing in the first round of both events.
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about his chances in Sindelfingen this weekend, aiming to improve on those disappointing results. The tournament also highlighted the strong performances of other competitors. Beau Greaves continued her impressive run, reaching consecutive quarter‑finals after defeating German No.1 Martin Schindler and Scottish talent Cameron Menzies. The full draw saw Nijman defeat a series of notable opponents, including Joe Hunt, Chris Dobey, and Karel Sedlacek, before ultimately overcoming Waites in the final.
For fans eager to follow the broader darts calendar, the Premier League Darts will see defending champion Luke Humphries aiming to retain his title. Matches are broadcast every Thursday until May on Sky Sports, and viewers can stream the action along with other top sporting events via the NOW platform. Overall, Wessel Nijman's fourth ranking title of 2026 underscores his rising stature in the sport.
His ability to maintain high averages, deliver clutch finishes, and dominate opponents across multiple rounds demonstrates a level of consistency that bodes well for his future ambitions, including breaking into the elite top‑16 and adding more major titles to his résumé.