Cameron Menzies, the winner of Players Championship 29, has opened up about a frightening moment he experienced on a flight to Switzerland, when he thought he was suffering a heart attack. The scare forced him to take a hard look at his health and consider lifestyle changes. Menzies secured his second ProTour title of the 2026 season by beating Dutch newcomer Gian van Veen 8-4 in the final at Maassport Den Bosch. 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 episode that occurred earlier in the year during a Players Championship event in Blackpool. He was forced to withdraw from his second‑round match against Ross Smith after feeling unwell. "Even before that incident, you could see I had lost a bit of weight," Menzies said. "Last year, on a flight to Switzerland, I genuinely believed I was having a heart attack.

My family has a history of heart problems, so I went for scans as a precaution." The scans revealed that he needed to lose weight, but the Blackpool incident 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," he added.

Menzies spent ten hours at Glasgow's Jubilee Hospital for a battery of tests, including blood work and cardiac examinations. All results came back normal except for a slightly elevated blood pressure reading.

"The doctors think the Blackpool episode was dehydration," he explained. "It’s a reminder that I have to look after myself more carefully now that I’m getting older." He described his new approach to self‑care: drinking water and electrolytes, watching his diet, and avoiding the habit of skipping meals. "My breakfast today was porridge, and I haven’t eaten all day.

I used to grab a pizza, but I need to be smarter about nutrition," he said. Menzies also noted a shift in the darts community toward greater fitness.

"Many players now jog or walk as part of their routine. Darts is probably fitter than ever because a new generation of young athletes is coming through.

They’re in youth academies, they train like professional sportspeople, unlike the days when we just played in clubs and pubs," he observed. During the tournament, Menzies averaged over 101 in his opening match against Nick Kenny and survived a dramatic comeback from Canada’s Jim Long in a deciding leg. 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 edged Kevin Doets to secure his place in a third Players Championship final in his last five events.

The final saw him surge to a 5‑0 lead, denying Van Veen a dart at double, before the Dutchman rallied with three consecutive legs. Menzies steadied himself, taking three of the next four legs to close out the match 8‑4 and claim the €15,000 prize. "I’m grateful for this position and I don’t take it for granted. 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 feel very fortunate," Menzies said after the win. He also highlighted the importance of staying hydrated and maintaining electrolyte balance during long tournament days that can start early in the morning and run into the evening.

"These are long days; you have to look after yourself. I’ve been here since 9:30 am. As I get older, I need to be more mindful of my health," he added. The PDC ProTour continues with Players Championship 30 on Wednesday, and the race for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals is heating up.

The schedule for Players Championship 29 included a series of impressive victories: - 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, 6‑5 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. The event also featured a nine‑dart finish from Cristo Reyes in his opening round against Ian White, and Max Hopp 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 (28 September‑4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14‑22 November), and the World Darts Championship (10 December‑3 January).

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