Cameron Menzies, the winner of Players Championship 29, recently disclosed that he once feared he was suffering a heart attack while aboard a flight to Switzerland, a scare that forced him to reassess his health habits. The 37‑year‑old Scot secured his second ProTour title of the 2026 season by defeating Dutch competitor Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final, adding a fourth PDC ranking trophy to his résumé after a remarkable run of seven straight victories at Maassport Den Bosch.
Menzies reflected on the frightening episode that occurred in Blackpool, where he had to pull out of a tournament after feeling unwell during a second‑round match against Ross Smith. "Even before that incident, you could see I’d lost a bit of weight," he said. "Last year, on a flight to Switzerland, I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack.
Because heart disease runs in my family, I immediately booked a series of scans." The medical examinations revealed that he needed to shed some pounds, but the episode in Blackpool was later attributed to severe dehydration, which had spiked his blood pressure as panic set in. After the Blackpool incident, Menzies underwent a battery of blood tests to rule out any serious cardiac issues. He spent ten hours at Glasgow's Jubilee Hospital, where doctors confirmed that his heart was fine, although his blood pressure was slightly elevated.
"They told me the likely cause was dehydration, so I simply have to look after myself better," he explained. "I’ll start drinking more water and taking electrolytes, but I understand not everyone is a professional athlete. The days are long – I’ve been here since 9:30 in the morning – and as I get older, I need to be more mindful of my health." He admitted that his diet had also changed.
"My breakfast today was porridge, and I haven’t eaten much all day. In the past I would have grabbed a pizza, but now I’m trying to make smarter choices," he said. Menzies noted a broader shift in the darts community, observing that many players now incorporate regular jogging or walking into their routines.
"The sport is healthier than ever because a new generation of fit, athletic youngsters is coming through. When we started, we played in clubs and pubs; now these kids are in structured youth systems and are catching up physically," he added. Menzies’ form on the board has been equally impressive. He opened the tournament with a 101+ average against Nick Kenny, then survived a dramatic last‑leg decider to edge out Canada’s Jim Long.
After a 6‑4 win over Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer, he dispatched top seed Wessel Nijman by the same scoreline. In the quarter‑finals he beat Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑3, and in the semi‑finals he overcame Kevin Doets, securing his place in a third Players Championship final within his last 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 the Dutchman rallied with three consecutive legs, the Scot steadied himself, taking three of the next four legs to clinch the 8‑4 victory and the £15,000 top prize in the Netherlands. "I’m grateful for this position and don’t take it for granted.
I’d like to finish the year on a high note. I’m already qualified for the World Championship and possibly the Grand Slam, so I’m in a very fortunate spot," Menzies said after the match. Looking ahead, the PDC ProTour season continues with Players Championship 30 on Wednesday, as the race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals intensifies.
The event schedule also includes a series of notable highlights: a nine‑dart finish by Cristo Reyes against Ian White, and another perfect leg from Max Hopp in his win over Tom Bissell. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast darts throughout the year, covering 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), with streaming available via NOW without a contract.