Wessel Nijman continued his remarkable early‑season surge by clinching his fourth Players Championship title of the year – which also marked his fifth ranking triumph overall – at the most recent event held in Milton Keynes. The Dutchman, who had already added the European Darts Trophy to his résumé back in March, delivered a commanding 8‑5 win over fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena in the all‑Dutch final of Players Championship 12.
This victory followed a string of successes that included wins at PC2, PC8 and PC10, cementing Nijman's reputation as one of the sport’s fastest‑rising stars. The tournament also featured a historic moment for women’s darts. Beau Greaves, who earlier in the week made headlines by becoming the first female competitor to capture a PDC ranking title when she won PC11, saw her campaign end in the last‑16 stage.
She was dispatched by Andy Bissell, who recorded a flawless 6‑0 whitewash before moving on to defeat Max Hopp 6‑3 in the quarter‑finals. Bissell’s run, however, was halted in the semi‑finals where he fell 7‑4 to Nijman, who was in fine form throughout the weekend. The final showdown pitted Nijman against Wattimena, a seasoned Dutch player who had been looking to add another ranking trophy to his collection – his last having come in October of the previous year.
The early exchanges were tightly contested, with Wattimena taking advantage of a few precise combination finishes to surge ahead 4‑2. Yet Nijman responded with a burst of scoring power, taking six of the next seven legs and ultimately sealing an 8‑5 triumph that not only awarded him the title but also propelled him into the world’s top‑16 for the first time in his career. Reflecting on the pressure of the final, Nijman admitted, "It was a pretty nervous match.
I fell behind after missing a couple of doubles, but I managed to keep my composure." He highlighted a crucial 57‑checkout that gave him a 6‑5 lead as a turning point, saying, "When everything clicks and you’ve been playing all day, those moments stick with you and give you confidence for the next match." The event’s broader schedule showcased a host of notable results. In the last‑16 round, Nijman dispatched Ryan Searle 6‑3, while Nathan Potter fell 6‑2 to James Wade. Tom Bissell recorded a 6‑0 victory over Beau Greaves, and Max Hopp edged past Darryl Pilgrim 6‑5.
Chris Dobey and Gary Anderson both progressed comfortably, with the latter beating Alexander Merkx 6‑3. Quarter‑final action saw Nijman dominate Nathan Potter 6‑2, and Tom Bissell overcome Max Hopp 6‑3.
Jermaine Wattimena continued his strong run by beating Chris Dobey 6‑3, while Kevin Doets dispatched Gary Anderson 6‑1. In the semi‑finals, Nijman maintained his momentum with a 7‑4 win over Tom Bissell, and Wattimena secured a 7‑3 victory against Kevin Doets, setting the stage for the decisive final. Beyond the tournament itself, the darts calendar remains busy. Fans can look forward to the Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries will aim to retain his crown.
The league matches will be broadcast every Thursday through May on Sky Sports, with streaming options available via NOW for those who prefer online viewing. Additionally, the Love the Darts podcast continues to provide analysis, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes insights for enthusiasts. For those wanting to stay updated on the latest darts news, highlights, and video content, Sky Sports offers a dedicated WhatsApp channel delivering real‑time alerts, feature stories, and expert commentary.
Whether you’re tracking Nijman’s ascent into the elite ranks or following the evolving narrative of women’s darts after Greaves’ groundbreaking win, there’s plenty of action to follow. In summary, Wessel Nijman's 8‑5 victory over Jermaine Wattimena not only added a fifth ranking title to his 2026 tally but also secured his place among the sport’s top competitors. His composure under pressure, combined with a series of high‑scoring legs, demonstrated why he is quickly becoming a fan favourite. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Nijman to see if he can sustain this level of performance and perhaps challenge for even bigger prizes on the PDC circuit.