Wessel Nijman continued his dazzling early‑season form by clinching his fourth ranking title of the 2026 calendar year at the Players Championship 10 held in Wigan. The Dutchman’s triumph came after a commanding 8‑2 win over former Grand Slam of Darts champion Scott Waites in the tournament’s headline match on Tuesday, a victory that also restored him to the top of the Players Championship leaderboard. The road to the final was anything but straightforward.
After a solid opening‑round victory against Martin Lukeman, Nijman faced Monday’s runner‑up, Justin Hood, in the second round. Nijman dispatched Hood with ease, securing his place in the third round and setting the stage for a dominant run that would see him outclass a series of high‑calibre opponents.
In the third round, Nijman produced a near‑perfect display against Adam Gawlas, averaging almost 110 in a six‑leg demolition. He then turned his attention to fellow Dutchman Niels Zonneveld, overcoming him with another high‑scoring performance before meeting Beau Greaves in the quarter‑finals. The 25‑year‑old maintained his remarkable consistency, posting an average of 109.71 to cruise past Greaves and book a semi‑final berth.
The semi‑final saw Nijman face Luke Woodhouse, a seasoned competitor who had already proven his mettle throughout the event. Undeterred, Nijman delivered yet another stellar performance, this time averaging 108.46, and secured his place in the final with a decisive victory.
Tuesday’s championship match against Scott Waites began with Waites making a strong start, but Nijman quickly seized the initiative. He capitalised on a few early mis‑throws from Waites to establish a comfortable lead, setting the tone for what would become a dominant display.
After Waites reduced the deficit to a single leg in the third leg, Nijman responded with a flawless 12‑dart finish to go up 3‑1. That momentum sparked a five‑leg streak that saw him surge ahead to a 7‑1 advantage. Although Waites managed to hold his throw comfortably in the ninth leg, the Dutchman’s response was swift and decisive.
He recorded a 15‑dart hold and finished the match with an impressive 101.34 average, sealing an 8‑2 victory that left little doubt about his superiority on the day. Reflecting on his performance, Nijman described the tournament as "probably the best floor event I've played all year." He highlighted the frequency with which he posted averages above 105, noting that the consistency gave him a huge confidence boost. "When I broke again to make it 4‑1, it felt amazing and helped me maintain my composure for the rest of the match," he explained. "I'm pleased with how I played in the final and throughout the day.
Events like this seem to suit my game very well." Nijman’s success this weekend builds on a string of recent achievements. He captured his first major televised title at the European Darts Trophy last month, marking his maiden big‑stage triumph.
Looking ahead, he has his sights set on further silverware at the upcoming European Darts Grand Prix, hoping to add another trophy to his growing collection. "When I'm in that zone and playing well, I could keep going all day," Nijman said, emphasizing his confidence as he climbs to 18th on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder. "My goal for the year is to break into the top 16.
The sooner I achieve that, the better. I had early exits in Munich and Wieze, but I’m determined to perform better in Sindelfingen this weekend." The tournament also featured an impressive run from Beau Greaves, who reached back‑to‑back quarter‑finals after notable victories over German No. 1 Martin Schindler and Scottish star Cameron Menzies. Greaves’ consistency underscores the depth of talent present on the circuit.
Below is a summary of the key results from the event: **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, the darts calendar continues with the Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries will look to retain his title. Fans can follow the weekly action every Thursday until May on Sky Sports, or stream live through NOW, which also offers a broad range of other top‑level sports and darts coverage.
Overall, Nijman’s fourth ranking win of the year not only reinforces his status as one of the sport’s rising stars but also positions him as a serious contender for future major titles. His ability to sustain high averages, recover quickly from setbacks, and dominate opponents across multiple rounds demonstrates a level of consistency that many established players aspire to achieve. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Dutchman to see whether he can translate this momentum into further victories and cement his place among the elite of professional darts.