Cameron Menzies, the champion of Players Championship 29, recently opened up about a frightening health scare he experienced while travelling to Switzerland, a moment that forced him to reassess his lifestyle choices. The 37‑year‑old Scotsman, who secured his second ProTour title of 2026 by defeating Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final, reflected on the incident during a post‑match interview. Menzies had been riding a wave of form, having already taken a fourth PDC ranking title in Maassport Den Bosch after stringing together seven consecutive victories. Yet, the triumph was tinged with anxiety because of what had happened earlier in the season.
During a second‑round match against Ross Smith at a Blackpool tournament, he felt suddenly unwell and was compelled to withdraw. The episode left him worried that he might be suffering a heart attack. "Even before that match, you could see I’d lost a bit of weight," Menzies explained.
"Last year, on a flight to Switzerland, I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack. My family has a history of heart problems, so I immediately booked a series of scans." The tests, however, did not reveal any cardiac issue. Instead, doctors told him that his weight needed to be reduced and that the Blackpool incident was likely the result of severe dehydration, which had caused his blood pressure to spike as panic set in. He spent ten hours at Glasgow Jubilee Hospital undergoing blood work and other examinations.
Apart from a slightly elevated blood pressure reading, everything else came back normal. "They think dehydration was the main factor, so I just need to look after myself a bit more," he said. Menzies admitted that the long days on the circuit demand a higher level of self‑care, especially as he gets older.
"I’ve been here since 9.30 this morning. These are long days, so you have to look after yourself.
I’m getting older now, so I need to look after myself," he noted, adding that his breakfast that day was simply porridge and that he had resisted the temptation to grab a pizza, opting instead for water and electrolytes. He also observed a broader shift in the sport: "A lot of players now jog or walk as part of their routine. Darts is probably better than it’s ever been because all these young kids are coming through and they’re all fit athletes.
It’s not like when we grew up playing in clubs and pubs. These guys are in youth systems. They’re catching up." This comment highlights how modern darts has evolved into a more physically demanding discipline, with players focusing on fitness to sustain high performance.
Menzies’ path to the title was impressive. He began the tournament with a 101+ average win over Nick Kenny, then survived a dramatic comeback from Canada’s Jim Long in a last‑leg decider. After a 6‑4 victory over Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer, he dispatched top seed Wessel Nijman by the same scoreline. A further 6‑3 win against Jeffrey de Graaf propelled him into the semi‑finals, where he beat Kevin Doets to secure a spot in his third Players Championship final in five events.
In the final, Menzies surged to a 5‑0 lead, denying Van Veen a dart at double during a blistering opening burst. Although the Dutchman rallied with three straight legs, the Scot maintained his composure, taking three of the next four legs to seal an 8‑4 victory and the £15,000 prize.
"I’m grateful to be in this position and I don’t take it for granted," Menzies said after the win. "I’d like to finish the year on a high. I’m in the Worlds and maybe the Grand Slam, so I’m in a very fortunate position." Looking ahead, the PDC ProTour continues with Players Championship 30 on Wednesday, as competitors vie for spots in the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals.
The schedule also lists the full draw for Players Championship 29, detailing Menzies’ opponents and scores throughout the event, as well as notable moments such as nine‑dart finishes from Cristo Reyes and Max Hopp. Sky Sports remains the primary broadcaster for darts, covering upcoming major tournaments including the World Grand Prix (28 September‑4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14‑22 November), and the World Darts Championship (10 December‑3 January).
Fans can stream the action via NOW without a contract, ensuring that the sport’s growing audience stays connected to every throw and every triumph. Menzies’ candid discussion of his health scare serves as a reminder that even elite athletes must monitor their wellbeing. By embracing better nutrition, staying hydrated, and incorporating regular exercise, he hopes to avoid future scares and continue competing at the highest level. His story underscores the importance of proactive health management in a sport that, while traditionally associated with pubs and leisure, now demands the same physical diligence as any other high‑performance arena.