Cameron Menzies, the 2026 Players Championship 29 champion, recently opened up about a frightening health scare that occurred while he was travelling to Switzerland. The 37‑year‑old Scottish darts professional said he genuinely believed he was experiencing a heart attack on a flight, an episode that forced him to take a hard look at his lifestyle and fitness habits.
Menzies secured his second ProTour title of the year by defeating Dutch youngster Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final at Maassport Den Bosch, a venue that has become a hotbed for high‑quality darts in recent seasons. The win marked his fourth PDC ranking title overall and continued an impressive run that saw him post seven straight victories on the circuit.
The triumph came on the heels of a very different experience earlier in the season. While competing in Blackpool, Menzies was forced to withdraw from his second‑round match against Ross Smith after feeling suddenly unwell. "Even before that incident, you could see I had lost a bit of weight," he explained. "Last year I was heading to Switzerland and I honestly thought I was having a heart attack on the plane.
I went for scans because heart problems run in my family." Medical examinations revealed that the immediate cause of his symptoms was not a cardiac event but a combination of dehydration and elevated blood pressure triggered by panic. The Scottish player spent ten hours at Glasgow's Jubilee Hospital undergoing blood tests and other investigations. "Everything came back fine apart from my blood pressure being a little high," he said.
"They think what happened in Blackpool was dehydration, so I just need to look after myself a bit more." Menzies admitted that his diet and hydration habits had been poor during long tournament weeks. "I’ll go and have some water and electrolytes after this, but we’re not all athletes here, I get that! It’s long days.
I’ve been here since 9.30 this morning. These are long days, so you have to look after yourself. I’m getting older now, so I need to look after myself," he added. He noted that his breakfast that day was simply porridge, a stark contrast to his usual habit of grabbing a quick pizza.
"I would usually go and get a pizza, but I need to try to be better." The incident prompted Menzies to reflect on the changing nature of darts as a sport. He observed that many of today’s players treat their training regimes with the same seriousness as athletes in more traditional sports.
"A lot of players go jogging or walking now. Darts is probably better than it’s ever been because all these young kids are coming through and they’re all fit athletes.
It’s not like when we grew up playing in clubs and pubs. These guys are in youth systems.
They’re catching up," he said. On the competitive side, Menzers’ form has been nothing short of spectacular. He opened his Players Championship 29 campaign with a 101+ average against Nick Kenny, then survived a dramatic last‑leg decider against Canada’s Jim Long.
After a 6‑4 win over Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer, he dispatched top seed Wessel Nijman by the same scoreline, demonstrating both consistency and resilience. In the later stages, Menzies continued his high‑scoring run, beating Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑3 with another impressive average to reach the semi‑finals.
There he faced Kevin Doets, securing a narrow victory that booked his place in a third Players Championship final within five events – a testament to his sustained excellence. The final against Gian van Veen saw Menzies explode into a 5‑0 lead, denying the Dutchman a dart at double during a brilliant opening burst. Van Veen fought back with three consecutive legs, but the Scot held his nerve, taking three of the next four legs to close out the match 8‑4 and claim the £15,000 top prize. Reflecting on his achievements, Menzies expressed gratitude and ambition.
"I’m grateful to be in this position and it’s not like I take it for granted or anything, but I would like to finish the year on a high. I’m in the Worlds and maybe the Grand Slam, so I’m in a very fortunate position," he said.
Looking ahead, the PDC ProTour season presses on with Players Championship 30 scheduled for Wednesday, as the race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals intensifies. Fans can also look forward to major televised events later in the year, 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), all of which will be broadcast on Sky Sports and streamed via NOW without a contract. Menzies’ candid discussion about his health scare highlights a growing awareness among darts professionals that physical well‑being is as crucial as technical skill. By adopting better nutrition, staying hydrated, and incorporating regular fitness routines, he hopes to prolong his career and continue competing at the highest level.
His story serves as both a cautionary tale and an inspirational example for up‑and‑coming players who must balance the demands of a grueling tournament schedule with the need for personal health management. In summary, Cameron Menzies’ recent victory at Maassport Den Bosch not only adds another trophy to his cabinet but also underscores a pivotal moment in his personal journey.
From a near‑miss heart attack on a plane to a decisive 8‑4 win in a high‑stakes final, his experience illustrates the importance of listening to one’s body, making lifestyle adjustments, and embracing the evolving athletic standards of modern darts. As the season unfolds, Menzies aims to maintain his momentum, stay healthy, and compete for further titles on the world stage.