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 decisive final on Tuesday, the Dutchman overcame former Grand Slam of Darts champion Scott Waites with a convincing 8‑2 scoreline, reclaiming the top spot on the Players Championship leaderboard. The road to the title was anything but straightforward. After a solid opening win against Martin Lukeman, Nijman faced Monday’s runner‑up, Justin Hood, and dispatched him with ease, securing his place in the third round and setting the tone for a dominant run.
His next match saw him demolish Adam Gawlas in six legs while posting an astonishing average of nearly 110. This high‑scoring form continued as he defeated fellow Dutchman Niels Zonneveld, and then turned his attention to Beau Greaves in the last‑8.
The 25‑year‑old maintained an average of 109.71 to beat Greaves, before edging past Luke Woodhouse in the semi‑final with a 108.46 average. In the final, Nijman capitalised on a slow start from Waites, establishing an early lead that allowed him to dictate the pace of the match. After Waites narrowed the gap in the third leg, Nijman responded with a spectacular 12‑dart finish to go up 3‑1. He then launched a five‑leg streak that propelled him to a 7‑1 advantage.
Although Waites managed a respectable hold of throw in the ninth leg, it was merely a consolation as Nijman sealed the victory with a 15‑dart hold, finishing the match with a 101.34 average. Reflecting on his performance, Nijman described the event as "probably the best floor event I've played all year," noting that he recorded several averages above 105. He highlighted a crucial moment when he broke for a 4‑1 lead, saying it gave him a surge of confidence that carried through to the end. "I'm happy with the way I played in the final and the way I played all day.
Maybe these kinds of events suit me," he added. Nijman's success at Players Championship 10 adds to an already impressive résumé that includes victories at Players Championships Two and Eight, as well as a breakthrough win at last month’s European Darts Trophy – his first major‑stage triumph.
Looking ahead, he is targeting further silverware at the upcoming European Darts Grand Prix, hoping to build on his momentum. The Dutchman explained his mindset, stating, "When I'm in that zone and playing good, I could play all day like that." His consistent performances have lifted him to 18th place on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder, edging closer to his personal goal of breaking into the top 16 this season. "The earlier I get that, the better it is," he said, acknowledging that early exits in Munich and Wieze have only heightened his determination to excel in the upcoming Sindelfingen event. The tournament also featured notable runs from other competitors.
Beau Greaves reached back‑to‑back quarter‑finals after impressive victories over German No. 1 Martin Schindler and Scottish star Cameron Menzies. The full list of results from the event is as follows: **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 are already looking ahead to the Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries will aim to retain his title.
The league runs every Thursday until May and is broadcast on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW for those who prefer to watch online. Overall, Nijman's triumph in Wigan underscores his rising stature in the darts world. His ability to sustain high averages, deliver clutch finishes, and maintain composure under pressure suggests that he is well‑positioned to achieve his top‑16 ambition and contend for further titles as the season progresses.