Cameron Menzies, the winner of the Players Championship 29, recently disclosed that he once feared he was experiencing a heart attack while aboard a flight to Switzerland. The scare forced him to take a hard look at his health habits and consider lifestyle changes.
Menzies secured a convincing 8-4 victory over Gian van Veen in the final, earning his second ProTour title of the 2026 season on Tuesday. The Scottish player continued the momentum that had seen him lift a fourth PDC ranking trophy this year, this time at the Maassport Den Bosch venue, after stringing together an impressive run of seven straight wins. After clinching the title, the 37‑year‑old reflected on a medical incident that occurred earlier in the year in Blackpool. During his second‑round match against Ross Smith, Menzies became ill and was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
"Even before that 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. Heart problems run in my family, so I went for scans straight away." The examinations revealed that he needed to lose weight, but the Blackpool episode 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 went on to describe the follow‑up tests he underwent at Glasgow Jubilee Hospital. "I spent ten hours there for blood work and a full cardiac check‑up.
Everything came back normal except my blood pressure was a little high. The doctors think the Blackpool collapse was dehydration, so the main message is I have to look after myself a bit more." Menzies admitted that his routine now includes more hydration and electrolyte intake. "I’ll have water and electrolytes after this, but we’re not all professional athletes," he said. "These are long days – I’ve been at the venue since 9:30 am – and you have to take care of yourself, especially as you get older." He also mentioned a shift in his diet.
"My breakfast today was porridge, and I haven’t eaten much all day. I used to grab a pizza, but I’m trying to be smarter about food choices now." The Scottish darts player noted a broader change in the sport’s fitness culture. "Many players now jog or walk as part of their preparation. Darts is probably healthier than ever 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 in youth systems and are very athletic." Menzes’s performance at the tournament was outstanding. He averaged over 101 in his opening match against Nick Kenny and survived a dramatic comeback from Canada’s Jim Long, winning in a last‑leg decider. He then beat Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer 6‑4 and top seed Wessel Nijman by the same scoreline.
In the quarter‑finals he 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, denying Van Veen a dart at double in the opening burst. Although the Dutchman rallied with three consecutive legs, Menzies held his nerve, taking three of the next four legs to clinch the match 8‑4 and the £15,000 prize. "I’m grateful to be here and I don’t take any of this for granted," Menzies said after the win.
"I’d like 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 position." The PDC ProTour schedule continues with Players Championship 30 on Wednesday, as competitors vie for spots in the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals.
Below is a summary of the results from Players Championship 29: - Last 16: Menzies 6‑4 Wessel Nijman, 6‑4 Jeffrey de Graaf, 6‑5 Danny Noppert, 6‑5 Kevin Doets, 6‑3 Cristo Reyes, 6‑3 Jermaine Wattimena, 6‑4 Callan Rydz, 6‑4 Oskar Lukasiak, 6‑4 Dave Chisnall, 6‑4 William O'Connor, 6‑3 Cor Dekker, 6‑3 Chris Dobey, 6‑3 Josh Rock, 6‑5 Gian van Veen, 6‑5 Nathan Aspinall. - Quarter‑Finals: Menzies 6‑3 Jeffrey de Graaf, 6‑2 Kevin Doets, 6‑3 Jermaine Wattimena, 6‑3 William O'Connor, 6‑4 Oskar Lukasiak, 6‑5 Gian van Veen, 6‑3 Chris Dobey. - Semi‑Finals: Menzies 7‑5 Kevin Doets, 7‑5 Gian van Veen. - Final: Menzies 8‑4 Gian van Veen.
Notable moments included a nine‑dart finish from Cristo Reyes in his first‑round win over Ian White and another perfect leg from Max Hopp in his second‑round victory over Tom Bissell. Sky Sports remains the primary broadcaster for darts, covering 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 also stream matches via NOW without a contract.