Cameron Menzies, the winner of Players Championship 29, has opened up about a frightening health scare he endured on a flight to Switzerland, an incident that forced him to reevaluate his lifestyle and fitness habits. The 37‑year‑old Scottish darts professional, who secured his second ProTour title of the 2026 season by defeating Gian van Veen 8‑4 in the final, recounted the episode that occurred earlier in the year during a tournament in Blackpool. Menzies explained that, even before the Blackpool incident, he had noticed a loss of weight and a general feeling of fatigue. "Last year I was heading to Switzerland and I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack on the plane," he said.
The fear was not unfounded, as heart disease runs in his family, prompting him to undergo a series of medical scans upon his return to the UK. The tests revealed that his weight was higher than ideal and that he needed to make changes to his diet and conditioning. During the Blackpool Players Championship, Menzers was forced to withdraw from his second‑round match against Ross Smith after suddenly feeling unwell.
He later learned that the episode was likely caused by severe dehydration, which in turn spiked his blood pressure and triggered a panic response. "I went for blood tests to check for more serious issues, including my heart," he told reporters. "I spent ten hours at Glasgow Jubilee Hospital, and everything came back fine except that my blood pressure was a little high.
They believe what happened in Blackpool was dehydration, so I just need to look after myself a bit more." The Scottish player emphasized that darts players are not immune to the demands of a long tournament schedule. "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," Menzies said, noting that his breakfast that day was simple porridge and that he had avoided the usual post‑match pizza in favour of water and electrolytes. Menzies also observed a broader shift in the sport, pointing out that modern darts competitors are increasingly fit and often come through youth development programmes.
"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 added. Despite the health scare, Menzies continued his impressive run at the Maassport Den Bosch venue, stringing together seven consecutive victories to claim his fourth PDC ranking title of the year.
He opened the tournament with a 101+ average against Nick Kenny, survived a dramatic last‑leg decider against Canada’s Jim Long, and then dispatched Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer 6‑4. A subsequent 6‑4 win over top seed Wessel Nijman set up a semi‑final clash with Kevin Doets, which Menzies won to secure a place in his third Players Championship final in five events. In the final, Menzies surged to an early 5‑0 lead, denying Van Veen a dart at double during a brilliant opening burst. Although the Dutchman rallied with three consecutive legs, the Scot steadied his nerves, 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 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," Menzies said after the match. Looking ahead, the PDC ProTour season moves on to Players Championship 30, with the race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals heating up.
The schedule also includes major televised events such as 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 live on Sky Sports and streamed via NOW without a contract. Menzies’ experience serves as a reminder that even elite darts players must monitor their health, stay hydrated, and maintain a balanced diet, especially during the grueling weeks of back‑to‑back tournaments. His willingness to adapt his lifestyle, coupled with his continued on‑stage success, illustrates the evolving professionalism within the sport and the importance of taking proactive steps to safeguard one’s well‑being while competing at the highest level.