Cameron Menzies, the winner of Players Championship 29, recently opened up about a frightening health scare that occurred on a flight to Switzerland. The 37‑year‑old Scotsman admitted that he genuinely believed he was experiencing a heart attack while airborne, a moment that forced him to reassess his lifestyle and fitness habits. Menzies secured his second ProTour title of the 2026 season by defeating Dutch contender Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final held in Den Bosch, Netherlands.
The victory marked his fourth PDC ranking title overall and continued a remarkable run of form that has seen him win seven matches in a row at the event. The triumph came shortly after a harrowing episode in Blackpool, where Menzies was forced to withdraw from a tournament during his second‑round match against Ross Smith after suddenly feeling unwell.
"Even before the incident, you could see I had lost a bit of weight," Menzies explained. "Last year, on a flight to Switzerland, I was convinced I was having a heart attack. Because heart problems run in my family, I went for scans as soon as I could." Medical examinations revealed that the primary issue was his weight and dehydration, not a cardiac event. "They told me I needed to lose weight," he said, adding that the Blackpool episode was likely caused by severe dehydration, which spiked his blood pressure as panic set in.
"I’ve never experienced anything like that before." Menzies spent ten hours at Glasgow's Jubilee Hospital for a battery of blood tests, including cardiac markers. Apart from a slightly elevated blood pressure reading, all results came back normal. The doctors concluded that dehydration was the culprit and advised him to pay closer attention to his hydration and nutrition, especially during long competition days.
He emphasized the importance of proper fluid and electrolyte intake, noting, "I’ll be drinking water and electrolytes now, but we’re not all professional athletes. The days are long – I’ve been here since 9:30 in the morning – and you have to look after yourself. I’m getting older, so I need to be more careful." Menzies also shared a glimpse into his daily routine, mentioning that his breakfast that day was simply porridge, a stark contrast to his usual habit of grabbing a pizza.
"I would normally go for a pizza, but I need to try to be better," he said, highlighting his commitment to healthier choices. He observed a broader shift in the sport, pointing out that many modern darts players incorporate regular jogging, walking, and gym work into their schedules. "Darts is probably better than it’s ever been because all these young kids are coming through and they’re all fit athletes.
It’s not like when we grew up playing in clubs and pubs. These guys are in youth systems and they’re catching up," Menzies noted. During the tournament, Menzies displayed exceptional form, averaging over 101 in his opening match against Nick Kenny and surviving a nail‑biting last‑leg decider against Canada’s Jim Long.
He continued his run by beating Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer 6‑4, then top‑seed Wessel Nijman by the same scoreline. In the quarter‑finals, Menzies dispatched Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑3 with another high average, and in the semi‑finals he overcame Kevin Doets to secure a place in his third Players Championship final in five events. The final saw him surge to a 5‑0 lead against Van Veen, denying the Dutchman a dart at double in the opening burst.
Although Van Veen rallied with three consecutive legs, Menzies held his nerve, winning three of the next four legs to clinch the match 8‑4 and the £15,000 top prize. Reflecting on his success, Menzies said, "I’m grateful to be in this position and I don’t take it for granted. 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." The PDC ProTour season moves forward with Players Championship 30 scheduled for Wednesday, as the race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals intensifies.
Below is a concise recap of the 2026 Players Championship 29 results: - 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. Highlights of the event also included a nine‑dart finish by Cristo Reyes in his opening round win over Ian White, and another perfect leg from Max Hopp against 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.