Wessel Nijman continued his remarkable early‑season form by clinching his fourth Players Championship victory and, overall, his fifth ranking title of the 2026 calendar year at the latest event held in Milton Keynes. The Dutchman, who had already added the European Darts Trophy to his résumé back in March, delivered a confident 8‑5 win over fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena in the Players Championship 12 final, extending a string of triumphs that also includes titles at PC2, PC8 and PC10. The tournament also featured a historic moment for women's darts. On Monday night, Beau Greaves made headlines by becoming the first female competitor to capture a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) ranking title when she won PC11.
However, her run was cut short the following day when she was eliminated in the last‑16 round. Greaves entered that match against Andy Bissell and was swiftly overpowered, losing 6‑0. Bissell then proceeded to beat Max Hopp 6‑3 in the quarter‑finals before meeting Nijman in the semi‑finals, where he fell 7‑4.
Nijman's path to the final saw him dispatch Andy Bissell in the semi‑final, setting up a showdown with Jermaine Wattimena. The early exchanges in the final favored Wattimena, who displayed sharp, clinical finishing to build a 4‑2 lead.
It looked as though he might be on his way to securing his first ranking title since October of the previous year. Yet Nijman turned the tide dramatically, capturing six of the next seven legs and ultimately sealing an 8‑5 victory that not only earned him the trophy but also propelled him into the world’s top‑16 for the first time in his career.
Reflecting on the match, Nijman described the experience as "a bit of a nerve‑wracking final" and admitted that a few missed doubles had seen him fall behind early on. He praised his own composure, noting that a crucial 57‑checkout that put him ahead 6‑5 was a turning point. "When everything clicks together and you’ve been playing those high‑pressure games all day, you remember it the next time you step onto the oche," he said, underscoring the confidence boost that the win provides.
The event also highlighted the depth of talent on the PDC circuit. In the last‑16 round, Nijman dispatched Ryan Searle 6‑3, while other notable results included Nathan Potter’s 6‑2 win over James Wade, Tom Bissell’s 6‑0 whitewash of Beau Greaves, Max Hopp’s 6‑5 triumph over Darryl Pilgrim, and Chris Dobey’s dominant 6‑1 victory over Chris Landman.
The quarter‑finals saw Nijman continue his strong form with a 6‑2 win over Nathan Potter, while Bissell beat Max Hopp 6‑3, Jermaine Wattimena overcame Chris Dobey 6‑3, and Kevin Doets dispatched Gary Anderson 6‑1. In the semi‑finals, Nijman overcame Bissell 7‑4 and Wattimena beat Doets 7‑3, setting up the final showdown that culminated in Nijman's 8‑5 win. The tournament’s results not only reinforced Nijman's rising status but also demonstrated the competitive balance across the tour, with both seasoned veterans and emerging players making deep runs.
Beyond the immediate results, the tournament feeds into the broader narrative of the 2026 darts season. Fans can look forward to the Premier League Darts later in the year, where defending champion Luke Humphries will aim to retain his title. The league’s matches are scheduled to air every Thursday until May on Sky Sports, and viewers can stream the action alongside other top‑level darts coverage via the NOW platform.
For those who missed any of the live action, highlights and full‑length videos are available on the Sky Sports website, and the "Love the Darts" podcast offers in‑depth analysis and commentary on the latest developments. Additionally, Sky Sports provides a convenient WhatsApp channel where followers can receive up‑to‑date sports news, video clips, feature stories, and expert analysis directly on their mobile devices.
In summary, Wessel Nijman's victory at Players Championship 12 not only adds a fifth ranking title to his 2026 tally but also marks a significant career milestone as he breaks into the world’s top‑16. His composure under pressure, combined with a string of impressive performances throughout the season, suggests that he will be a formidable contender in upcoming major events, including the Premier League and future Players Championships. Meanwhile, Beau Greaves' historic breakthrough continues to inspire discussions about the growing impact of women in professional darts, even as she seeks to build on her groundbreaking PC11 win in future tournaments.