Cameron Menzies, the victor of Players Championship 29, recently disclosed that he once feared he was experiencing a heart attack while aboard a flight to Switzerland, a scare that forced him to re‑evaluate his health habits. The Scottish darts professional secured his second ProTour title of the 2026 season by defeating Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final, a triumph that capped an impressive run of seven straight wins at Maassport Den Bosch. The win marked Menzies' fourth PDC ranking title and demonstrated his continued dominance on the Players Championship circuit.
After lifting the trophy, the 37‑year‑old reflected on a frightening incident that occurred earlier in the year during the Blackpool event, when he had to withdraw from his second‑round match against Ross Smith after suddenly feeling unwell. "Even before that episode, you could see I had started to lose a little 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 cardiac problems, so I went for a full series of scans as a precaution." The medical examinations revealed no serious heart condition, but doctors did advise him to shed some pounds.
The Blackpool episode, according to the tests taken after the match, was attributed to severe dehydration, which in turn caused a spike in his blood pressure as panic set in – a reaction he had never experienced before. Menzies spent ten hours at Glasgow's Jubilee Hospital undergoing blood work and other checks. "Everything came back normal except for a slightly elevated blood pressure," he said.
"The consensus is that the Blackpool incident was dehydration‑related, so I simply need to take better care of myself." He added that he now plans to hydrate more deliberately, including drinking water and electrolyte solutions, especially during long tournament days that can stretch from early morning until late evening. "I'm not a full‑time athlete, but the schedule is grueling.
I've been here since 9:30 am, and these days are exhausting. As I get older, I have to be smarter about my health," he noted.
Menzies also mentioned a change in his diet. "My breakfast today was porridge, and I haven't eaten much all day. In the past I might have grabbed a pizza, but I'm trying to make healthier choices now," he said, highlighting a shift toward more balanced nutrition. He observed that the modern darts landscape is evolving, with many younger players treating the sport like a fitness discipline.
"A lot of players now jog or walk regularly. Darts is probably in a better shape than ever because a new generation of fit, athletic youngsters is coming through.
When we grew up, we played in clubs and pubs; now these kids are in youth academies and are catching up physically," Menzies remarked. During the tournament, Menzies displayed his usual high scoring, averaging over 101 in his opening match against Nick Kenny and then surviving a dramatic last‑leg decider against Canada's Jim Long. He continued his form by beating Slovenia's Benjamin Pratnemer 6‑4 and top seed Wessel Nijman by the same margin. In the quarter‑finals he dispatched Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑3 with another strong average, and in the semi‑finals he overcame Kevin Doets to secure a place in his third Players Championship final in five events.
In the final, he surged to a 5‑0 lead, denying Van Veen a dart at double during a brilliant opening burst. Although Van Veen rallied with three consecutive legs, Menzies held his nerve, taking three of the next four legs to clinch the match 8‑4 and pocket the £15,000 top prize. "I'm grateful to be in this position and I certainly don't take it for granted.
I would love to finish the year on a high note. I'm already qualified for the World Championship and possibly the Grand Slam, so I'm in a very fortunate position," Menzies said after his victory. Looking ahead, the PDC ProTour season moves on to Players Championship 30 on Wednesday, with the race for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals heating up. The schedule also includes major televised events such as 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), all of which will be broadcast on Sky Sports and streamed via NOW without a contract.