Cameron Menzies, the victor of Players Championship 29, opened up about a frightening episode he experienced on a flight to Switzerland, where he genuinely believed he was suffering a heart attack. The scare forced him to take a hard look at his health and lifestyle choices. Menzies secured his second ProTour title of the 2026 season by defeating Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final, adding another trophy to a campaign that has already seen him claim four PDC ranking titles this year. His triumph in Maassport Den Bosch came after a remarkable run of seven consecutive victories, underscoring his consistency and form.
After lifting the trophy, the 37‑year‑old Scottish player reflected on a medical incident that occurred earlier in the year during the Blackpool event. He had to withdraw from his second‑round match against Ross Smith after feeling unwell, prompting a series of tests. "Even before that incident, you could see I had lost a bit of weight," Menzies said.
"Last year, on a flight to Switzerland, I was convinced I was having a heart attack. Heart problems run in my family, so I immediately went for scans." The scans revealed that his weight needed to be reduced, but the Blackpool episode was later attributed to dehydration, which caused his blood pressure to spike as panic set in – something he had never experienced before.
He continued, "I underwent blood work to rule out any serious conditions, especially heart‑related issues. I spent ten hours at Glasgow Jubilee Hospital; everything came back normal except for a slightly elevated blood pressure. The doctors think the Blackpool episode was dehydration, so I simply need to look after myself more." Menzies admitted that the demanding schedule of professional darts can take a toll.
"I’ll be drinking water and electrolytes now, but not everyone is an athlete. These are long days – I’ve been here since 9:30 a.m. – and as I get older I have to be more mindful of my health." He mentioned his breakfast of porridge that morning and noted that he had skipped meals throughout the day.
"Normally I’d grab a pizza, but I have to try to make better choices," he said. The Scottish player also highlighted a shift in the sport’s physical culture.
"Many players now jog or walk regularly. Darts is probably fitter than ever because a new generation of young, athletic competitors is emerging. It’s not like the days when we played in clubs and pubs.
These youngsters are in youth academies, training hard and catching up quickly." Menzies’ path to the title was impressive. 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 beating Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer 6‑4, he dispatched top seed Wessel Nijman by the same scoreline.
He then edged past Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑3 with another high average, advancing to the semi‑finals where he overcame Kevin Doets, securing a place in his third Players Championship final in the last five events. In the final, Menzies surged to a 5‑0 lead, denying Van Veen a dart at double during a brilliant opening burst. The Dutchman fought back with three straight legs, but the Scot held his nerve, 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 World Championship and possibly the Grand Slam, so I’m in a very fortunate position." The PDC ProTour season moves on with Players Championship 30 scheduled for Wednesday, as the race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals tightens. **Tournament recap – Players Championship 29 (September 22, Maassport Den Bosch)** - **Last 16:** Menzies 6‑4 Wessel Nijman; Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑4 Danny Noppert; Kevin Doets 6‑5 Cristo Reyes; Jermaine Wattimena 6‑3 Callan Rydz; Oskar Lukasiak 6‑4 Dave Chisnall; William O'Connor 6‑4 Cor Dekker; Chris Dobey 6‑3 Josh Rock; Gian van Veen 6‑5 Nathan Apsinall - **Quarter‑Finals:** Menzies 6‑3 Jeffrey de Graaf; Kevin Doets 6‑2 Jermaine Wattimena; William O'Connor 6‑3 Oskar Lukasiak; Gian van Veen 6‑5 Chris Dobey - **Semi‑Finals:** Menzies 7‑5 Kevin Doets; Gian van Veen 7‑5 William O'Connor - **Final:** Menzies 8‑4 Gian van Veen Notably, Cristo Reyes hit a nine‑dart finish in his opening round against Ian White, and Max Hopp also recorded a perfect leg in his second‑round win over Tom Bissell.
Looking ahead, Sky Sports will continue to broadcast major darts events, including the World Grand Prix (Sept 28‑Oct 4), the Grand Slam of Darts (Nov 14‑22), and the World Darts Championship (Dec 10‑Jan 3). Fans can stream the action via NOW without a contract, ensuring the sport remains accessible to a global audience.