Cameron Menzies, the winner of Players Championship 29, recently disclosed that he once feared he was experiencing a heart attack while flying to Switzerland, a scare that forced him to reevaluate his health habits. The 37‑year‑old Scot secured his second ProTour title of the 2026 season by beating Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final, adding a fourth PDC ranking victory to his résumé after a remarkable run of seven consecutive wins at Maassport Den Bosch. After lifting the trophy, Menzies reflected on a medical episode that occurred earlier in the year during a tournament in Blackpool. He had to withdraw from his second‑round match against Ross Smith after feeling unwell.
"Even before the incident, you could see I had lost a bit of weight," he said. "Last year, on a flight to Switzerland, I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack.
I went for scans because heart issues run in my family." The scans revealed that he needed to shed more weight, but the Blackpool incident was later attributed to severe dehydration, which caused his blood pressure to spike as panic set in. "I’ve never experienced anything like that before," Menzies explained. He underwent extensive blood work at Glasgow Jubilee Hospital, spending ten hours there. Apart from a slightly elevated blood pressure reading, all results were normal.
"They think what happened in Blackpool was dehydration, so I just need to look after myself a bit more," he added. Menzies emphasized the importance of proper hydration and nutrition, especially during long competition days. "I’ll have water and electrolytes after this, but we’re not all elite athletes," he noted, acknowledging the grueling schedule that can start as early as 9:30 am and stretch well into the evening. "I’m getting older, so I have to take better care of myself.
My breakfast today was porridge, and I haven’t eaten all day. I would normally grab a pizza, but I need to be smarter about my diet." He also observed a shift in the overall fitness of darts players. "Many players now jog or walk regularly. Darts is probably better than it’s ever been because a new generation of young, fit athletes is coming through.
It’s not like when we grew up playing in clubs and pubs. These guys are in youth systems and are catching up," Menzers said, highlighting the sport’s evolution toward a more athletic profile. Menzies' performance at the tournament was outstanding.
He opened with a 101+ average against Nick Kenny, then survived a dramatic comeback from Canada’s Jim Long in a last‑leg decider. After a 6‑4 win over Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer, he defeated top seed Wessel Nijman by the same margin.
He continued his streak by beating Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑3, securing a place in the semi‑finals where he overcame Kevin Doets, thus booking 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 an explosive opening burst.
Although the Dutchman responded with three consecutive legs, the Scot held his composure, taking three of the next four legs to clinch the match 8‑4 and the £15,000 prize in the Netherlands. "I’m grateful to be in this position and I don’t take it for granted," Menzies said after the victory. "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 season moves on with Players Championship 30 on Wednesday, as competitors intensify their race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals.
The recent tournament also featured a nine‑dart finish from Cristo Reyes in his opening round against Ian White, and a perfect leg from Max Hopp in his second‑round win over Tom Bissell. Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts, covering major 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). Fans can stream live coverage and additional content through NOW without a contract, ensuring easy access to the sport’s biggest moments.