Cameron Menzies, the winner of Players Championship 29, recently opened up about a frightening episode he experienced while flying to Switzerland, where he believed he was having 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 Dutchman Gian van Veen 8-4 in the final in Den Bosch, Netherlands. The victory marked his fourth PDC ranking title overall and came after an impressive run of seven straight wins in the tournament. After lifting the trophy, the 37‑year‑old Scot reflected on a medical incident that occurred earlier in the year in Blackpool. During his second‑round match against Ross Smith, Menzies felt unwell and was forced to withdraw from the event.
"Even before that happened, 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. Heart problems run in my family, so I went for scans straight away." The scans revealed that his weight loss was a factor, and doctors advised him to shed a few more pounds.
Following the Blackpool episode, further tests suggested dehydration as the primary cause of his sudden rise in blood pressure. "I was panicking, and my blood pressure spiked. I've never experienced anything like that before," Menzies explained. He spent ten hours at Glasgow's Jubilee Hospital undergoing blood work and other examinations.
Apart from a slightly elevated blood pressure reading, all results came back normal. "The medical team believes dehydration was the trigger in Blackpool, so I need to take better care of myself," he added. Menzies said he plans to stay better hydrated and replenish electrolytes, acknowledging that not every darts player can treat the sport like a full‑time athletic career. "These are long days – I was on the stage from 9:30 in the morning.
As I get older, I have to be smarter about my health," he said. He noted that his breakfast that day was simple porridge and that he had avoided the usual pizza habit, opting for a more balanced approach. The Scottish player also observed a shift in the darts landscape: "Many players now incorporate jogging or walking into their routines. The game is healthier than it ever was because a new generation of young, fit athletes is coming through.
When we grew up, we played in clubs and pubs, but today these youngsters are part of structured youth systems and are catching up physically." Menzies' performance in the tournament was nothing short of stellar. 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 dispatched top seed Wessel Nijman by the same margin.
In the quarter‑finals, Menzies beat Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑3, maintaining a high scoring average, and then overcame Kevin Doets to reach his third Players Championship final in five events. The final saw him race to a 5‑0 lead, denying Van Veen a dart at double in the opening burst. Although Van Veen rallied with three consecutive legs, Menzies held his 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," Menzies said after the win.
"I want to finish the year on a high. I'm already qualified for the World Championship and possibly the Grand Slam, so I'm in a very fortunate spot." The PDC ProTour season moves forward with Players Championship 30 scheduled for Wednesday, as competitors continue to chase qualification for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals. Below is a summary of the key results from Players Championship 29: - Last 16: Menzies 6‑4 Wessel Nijman; Menzies 6‑4 Jeffrey de Graaf; Menzies 6‑5 Danny Noppert; Menzies 6‑5 Kevin Doets; Menzies 6‑3 Cristo Reyes; Menzies 6‑3 Jermaine Wattimena; Menzies 6‑4 Callan Rydz; Menzies 6‑4 Oskar Lukasiak; Menzies 6‑4 Dave Chisnall; Menzies 6‑4 William O'Connor; Menzies 6‑3 Cor Dekker; Menzies 6‑3 Chris Dobey; Menzies 6‑5 Josh Rock; Menzies 6‑5 Gian van Veen; Menzies 6‑5 Nathan Aspinall.
- Quarter‑Finals: Menzies 6‑3 Jeffrey de Graaf; Menzies 6‑2 Kevin Doets; Menzies 6‑3 Jermaine Wattimena; Menzies 6‑3 William O'Connor; Menzies 6‑4 Oskar Lukasiak; Menzies 6‑5 Gian van Veen; Menzies 6‑3 Chris Dobey. - Semi‑Finals: Menzies 7‑5 Kevin Doets; Menzies 7‑5 Gian van Veen. - Final: Menzies 8‑4 Gian van Veen. The event also featured a nine‑dart finish from Cristo Reyes in his opening round win over Ian White, and Max Hopp recorded a perfect leg in his second‑round victory over Tom Bissell.
Looking ahead, Sky Sports will continue to broadcast major darts events, 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 all action via NOW without a contract, ensuring the sport remains accessible to a global audience.