Cameron Menzies, the winner of Players Championship 29, recently opened up about a frightening health scare he endured on a flight to Switzerland, a moment that forced him to seriously reassess his lifestyle choices. The 37‑year‑old Scot, who secured a second ProTour title of the 2026 season by defeating Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final, has been reflecting on that incident and the steps he’s taking to safeguard his wellbeing.
Menzies’ victory in Den Bosch marked his fourth PDC ranking triumph of the year, following an impressive run of seven consecutive wins that saw him dominate the field. After lifting the trophy, he recalled the earlier episode that occurred in Blackpool when he was forced to withdraw from a tournament after feeling unwell during a second‑round match against Ross Smith. "Even before that match, you could see I’d lost a bit of weight," Menzies said.
"Last year, on a flight to Switzerland, I was convinced I was having a heart attack. It felt like a crushing pressure in my chest, and because heart disease runs in my family, I immediately booked a series of scans.
"The doctors told me I needed to lose weight, but the situation in Blackpool turned out to be a combination of dehydration and a spike in blood pressure caused by panic. I had never experienced anything like that before." He went on to describe the medical investigations that followed. "I spent ten hours at Glasgow Jubilee Hospital for blood tests and a full cardiac work‑up. Everything came back normal except for a slightly elevated blood pressure reading.
The consensus was that dehydration was the primary culprit in Blackpool, so the key takeaway for me is to take better care of my body. "I’m now drinking more water and replenishing electrolytes, but I understand that not everyone is a professional athlete. The days are long – I’ve been at the venue since 9:30 a.m. – and as I get older, I need to be more mindful of my health.
My breakfast this morning was just porridge; I normally might have grabbed a pizza, but I’m trying to make smarter choices. "Many players are now incorporating jogging, walking, or other fitness routines into their schedules.
Darts has evolved; we have a new generation of young, fit athletes coming through youth academies, which is a stark contrast to the pub‑league days of our youth. The sport is stronger than ever because of that. "On the day of the final, I averaged over 101 in my opening match against Nick Kenny and survived a dramatic comeback from Canada’s Jim Long, winning in a deciding leg.
After a 6‑4 win over Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer, I faced top seed Wessel Nijman and edged him by the same margin. I then beat Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑3, which took me to the semi‑finals where I overcame Kevin Doets, securing my place in a third Players Championship final in just five events.
"In the final, I surged to a 5‑0 lead, denying Van Veen a chance at a double, though he answered with three straight legs. I kept my composure, taking three of the next four legs to clinch the match 8‑4 and the £15,000 prize. "I’m grateful for this position and I certainly don’t take it for granted. I’d like to finish the year on a high note – I’m already qualified for the World Championship and possibly the Grand Slam, so I feel very fortunate." Menzies also highlighted the broader context of the PDC ProTour season, noting that Players Championship 30 is scheduled for Wednesday and that the race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals is heating up.
He emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, and incorporating regular exercise, especially as the calendar becomes increasingly demanding with 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). The tournament’s detailed results illustrate Menzies’ dominant run: in the last‑16 he beat Wessel Nijman 6‑4, followed by victories over Jeffrey de Graaf, Danny Noppert, Kevin Doets, Cristo Reyes, Jermaine Wattimena, Callan Rydz, Oskar Lukasiak, Dave Chisnall, William O'Connor, Cor Dekker, Chris Dobey, Josh Rock, and finally Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final.
Notable highlights from the event include nine‑dart finishes by Cristo Reyes against Ian White and Max Hopp against Tom Bissell. Looking ahead, Menzies plans to continue monitoring his health, staying hydrated, and making smarter nutritional choices while maintaining his competitive edge.
He hopes his experience serves as a reminder to fellow players that even in a sport traditionally associated with pub culture, physical well‑being is paramount. The upcoming events on Sky Sports and the NOW streaming platform will showcase the sport’s evolution, with younger, fitter competitors raising the standard and drawing new audiences to darts worldwide.