Cameron Menzies, the 2026 Players Championship 29 champion, 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 take a hard look at his health and lifestyle choices, especially as he continues to climb the ranks of professional darts.
Menzies secured his second ProTour title of the year by defeating Dutch prodigy Gian van Veen 8-4 in the final held in Den Bosch, Netherlands. The victory marked his fourth PDC ranking title overall and came after an impressive run of seven consecutive wins throughout the tournament. His form has been nothing short of spectacular, having already claimed two Players Championship titles in 2026.
The Scottish player reflected on the medical incident that occurred earlier in the season during a match in Blackpool. He was forced to withdraw from his second‑round encounter with Ross Smith after feeling unwell. "Even before the incident, you could see I’d lost a bit of weight," Menzies recalled. "Last year, on a flight to Switzerland, I was convinced I was having a heart attack.
My family has a history of heart problems, so I immediately booked scans." The scans revealed that his weight loss was a concern, but doctors also suggested dehydration as the likely trigger for his sudden rise in blood pressure during the Blackpool match. "I went for blood tests to rule out any serious cardiac issues.
I spent ten hours at Glasgow Jubilee Hospital, and everything came back normal except for a slightly elevated blood pressure," he said. "They think what happened in Blackpool was dehydration, which caused my blood pressure to spike because I panicked.
I’ve never experienced anything like that before." Menzies admitted that the episode was a wake‑up call. "I’m 37 now, and I need to look after myself more carefully," he explained.
He described his current routine, noting that he starts his day with a bowl of porridge and avoids the temptation of a quick pizza, opting instead for water and electrolytes to stay hydrated. "We’re not all full‑time athletes, but the days are long – I’ve been here since 9:30 a.m. today – so taking care of your body is essential," he added.
He also commented on the evolution of darts as a sport. "A lot of players now jog or walk as part of their training. Darts is probably in a better shape than ever because a new generation of young, fit athletes is coming through. When we grew up, we played in clubs and pubs, but now these youngsters are in youth academies, training like any other professional sport," Menzies observed.
During the tournament, Menzies displayed his high‑level scoring ability, 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 march by beating Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer 6-4, then top‑seed Wessel Nijman by the same scoreline. In the quarter‑finals he dispatched Jeffrey de Graaf 6-3 with another strong average, and in the semi‑finals he edged past Kevin Doets to set up a third Players Championship final in his last five events. The final against Gian van Veen saw Menzies blaze out to a 5-0 lead, denying the Dutchman a chance at a double.
Van Veen rallied with three straight legs, but the Scot steadied himself, taking three of the next four legs to seal an 8-4 victory and the £15,000 top prize. "I’m grateful to be in this position 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’m in a very fortunate spot." Looking ahead, the PDC ProTour season moves on with Players Championship 30 on Wednesday, as the race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals intensifies.
The tournament’s full results were as follows: - 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, 6-3 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.
Highlights of the event included a nine‑dart finish by Cristo Reyes in his opening round win over Ian White, and another perfect leg from Max Hopp in his second‑round victory over Tom Bissell. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast major darts events, with 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) all slated for live coverage. Fans can also stream matches via NOW without a contract, ensuring easy access to the sport’s biggest moments.