Cameron Menzies, the winner of Players Championship 29, recently opened up about a frightening episode he experienced on a flight to Switzerland, where he genuinely believed he was suffering a heart attack. The scare forced him to reassess his habits and consider a healthier lifestyle. Menzies secured his second ProTour title of the 2026 season by defeating Dutchman Gian van Veen 8-4 in the final at Maassport Den Bosch.
The victory marked his fourth PDC ranking title overall and capped a remarkable run of seven consecutive wins across the tournament. After the win, the 37‑year‑old Scot reflected on the medical incident that had forced him to withdraw from a previous event in Blackpool, where he fell ill during his second‑round match against Ross Smith.
"Even before that incident, you could see I had lost a bit of weight," Menzies explained. "Last year, on a flight to Switzerland, I felt a crushing pressure in my chest and thought I was having a heart attack. Heart problems run in my family, so I immediately booked scans when I got back." He went on to say that doctors advised him 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," he added. To rule out any serious cardiac issues, Menzies underwent a battery of blood tests at Glasgow Jubilee Hospital. He spent ten hours under observation, and apart from a slightly elevated blood pressure reading, all results were normal.
The medical team concluded that the Blackpool collapse was most likely due to dehydration, prompting the darts professional to take his health more seriously. "I now make a point of drinking water and electrolyte drinks throughout the day," he said.
"We aren't all full‑time athletes, but the days are long – I was on the floor from 9:30 a.m. onward.
As I get older, I need to look after myself more carefully. Today I started with porridge for breakfast and have avoided the usual pizza because I want to be better about nutrition." Menzies also noted a broader shift in the sport: "Many players now incorporate jogging, walking, or other fitness routines into their preparation.
Darts is arguably healthier than it ever was because a new generation of young, fit athletes is coming through the ranks. When we were growing up, we played in clubs and pubs, but today these youngsters are part of structured youth systems and they take fitness seriously." His tournament performance reflected his renewed focus. Menzies opened the event with a 101+ average against Nick Kenny, then survived a dramatic comeback from Canada’s Jim Long in a deciding leg. He continued his march by beating Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer 6-4 and top seed Wessel Nijman by the same margin.
In the quarter‑finals he dispatched Jeffrey de Graaf 6-3, and in the semi‑finals he edged past Kevin Doets to set up a third final appearance in five events. In the championship match, Menzies surged to a 5‑0 lead, denying Van Veen a dart at double during a blistering opening burst. Although Van Veen rallied with three straight legs, the Scot steadied his nerves, taking three of the next four legs to clinch the 8‑4 victory and the £15,000 prize. "I’m grateful to be where I am and I don’t take it 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 feel very fortunate." Looking ahead, the PDC ProTour continues with Players Championship 30 on Wednesday, as the race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals intensifies. **Tournament recap – Players Championship 29 (September 22, 2026, Maassport Den Bosch)** - Last 16: Menzies 6‑4 Wessel Nijman, 6‑4 Jeffrey de Graaf, 6‑4 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, 6‑4 Josh Rock, 6‑5 Gian van Veen, 6‑5 Nathan Apsinall. - Quarter‑finals: Menzies 6‑3 Jeffrey de Graaf, 6‑2 Kevin Doets, 6‑3 Jermaine Wattimena, 6‑3 William O'Connor, 6‑5 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 notable moments such as Cristo Reyes hitting a nine‑dart finish in his opening round match against Ian White, and Max Hopp delivering a perfect leg in round two against Tom Bissell. The darts calendar remains busy, with Sky Sports broadcasting the World Grand Prix (September 28‑October 4), the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14‑22), and the World Darts Championship (December 10‑January 3).
Fans can stream all events and additional coverage via NOW without a contract. Menzies’ candid discussion of his health scare underscores a growing awareness among professional darts players that physical well‑being is as crucial as skill on the oche. By embracing better nutrition, hydration, and regular exercise, he hopes to prolong his career and continue competing at the highest level while setting a positive example for the sport’s emerging talent.