Wessel Nijman continued his remarkable early‑season surge by clinching his fourth Players Championship triumph and, overall, his fifth ranking title of 2026 at the Milton Keynes event. The Dutchman, who had already added the European Darts Trophy to his résumé in March, delivered a confident 8-5 win over fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena in the final of Players Championship 12, following earlier victories at PC2, PC8 and PC10. The tournament also featured a historic moment for women's darts.
Beau Greaves, who made headlines on Monday by capturing PC11 and becoming the first woman ever to secure a PDC ranking title, saw her campaign end in the last‑16 round on Tuesday. After a dominant 6-0 whitewash of Greaves by Andy Bissell, the Englishman proceeded to a 6-3 quarter‑final win over Max Hopp before falling 7-4 to Nijman in the semi‑finals. Nijman's path to the final was marked by steady, high‑quality play. In the semi‑final, he outperformed Bissell 7-4, showcasing a blend of heavy scoring and precise finishing that left little doubt about his form.
The final against Wattimena began with the Dutch challenger taking an early 4-2 lead, looking to claim his first ranking title since October. However, Nijman swiftly turned the tide, capturing six of the next seven legs and ultimately sealing an 8-5 victory. Reflecting on the match, Nijman admitted the final felt tense, especially after a few missed doubles that saw him fall behind early.
"It was a bit nerve‑wracking," he said. "I missed some doubles and went behind, but I managed to stay composed. The crucial 57 checkout that put me up 6-5 was a turning point." His composure paid off, allowing him to break into the world’s top 16 for the first time, overtaking Wattimena in the rankings. The event also provided a snapshot of the broader darts calendar.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast live darts throughout the year, including the Premier League Darts, where defending champion Luke Humphries will look to retain his title. Fans can follow the action every Thursday until May on Sky Sports, or stream matches and related content via NOW. Below is a summary of the key results from the tournament: **Last‑16** - Wessel Nijman 6-3 Ryan Searle - Nathan Potter 6-2 James Wade - Tom Bissell 6-0 Beau Greaves - Max Hopp 6-5 Darryl Pilgrim - Chris Dobey 6-1 Chris Landman - Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 Tommy Lishman - Kevin Doets 6-5 Mike De Decker - Gary Anderson 6-3 Alexander Merkx **Quarter‑finals** - Wessel Nijman 6-2 Nathan Potter - Tom Bissell 6-3 Max Hopp - Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Chris Dobey - Kevin Doets 6-1 Gary Anderson **Semi‑finals** - Wessel Nijman 7-4 Tom Bissell - Jermaine Wattimena 7-3 Kevin Doets **Final** - Wessel Nijman 8-5 Jermaine Wattimena Nijman's triumph not only adds another trophy to his burgeoning collection but also signals his arrival among the sport’s elite.
His ability to recover from early setbacks, maintain a high scoring average, and finish legs under pressure suggests he could be a serious contender in upcoming major events, including the World Championship later in the season. For those following the sport, the rise of players like Nijman and the breakthrough of athletes such as Beau Greaves illustrate the evolving landscape of professional darts. The increasing competitiveness, coupled with greater media exposure through platforms like Sky Sports and NOW, ensures that fans will have plenty of high‑quality darts to enjoy throughout 2026 and beyond.