Dutchman Wessel Nijman continued his impressive recent form by claiming his second floor title of the year at the final PDC Players Championship event, defeating Luke Woodhouse 8–5.

Nijman averaged 100.45 in the final to pocket the £15,000 jackpot, closing out the season in the best possible way as he rose to claim the second seed for the PDC Players Championship Finals in Minehead in November.

He got off to the best possible start in Wigan, defeating Callan Rydz comfortably 6–2, but his average of 92.67 suggested he had plenty more in the tank.

As he progressed to the second round against Welshman Rhys Griffin, he produced his first of three consecutive ton-plus averages, winning 6-4 and posting an average of 101.05. When he was up against it after a 12-darter from Griffin to level up at 4-4, Nijman posted back-to-back 14 and 17 dart leg to progress through.

In the last 32 against Maik Kuivenhoven, he raised his game further, defeating his fellow countryman 6–3 and averaging 103.25. A standout moment was his crucial 156 checkout to hold and extend his lead to 4–1, signalling that he needed only to hold throw twice to secure the win.

But the 25-year-old produced a spellbinding performance in the last 16 against Adam Paxton. After Paxton claimed the first leg, Nijman went on a dangerous six-leg streak, hitting three 11-darters, as well as 12, 15, and 17-darters, including back-to-back 111 and 170 checkouts. His explosive final average of 116.87 proved unstoppable, and he wrapped up the match in just ten minutes.

Though his average declined to 89.77 in the quarter-finals against fellow Dutch rival Kevin Doets, he still managed to deliver under pressure in a tight semi-final clash with Players Championship 33 winner Chris Dobey.

While averaging a ton and denying Dobey the chance to reach back-to-back finals on consecutive days, he impressively checked out all seven legs in under 16 darts. To seal the match, he hit the crucial double with his last dart while Dobey was sitting on tops.

To cap off the day, nothing could separate Nijman and Woodhouse in the final, with the pair level at 5–5. However, the newly turned world number 34 showed grit and determination, reeling off three consecutive legs, a 13-darter and two 14-darters, to claim the victory.

Players Championship 34

Quarter-Final

Chris Dobey 6-4 Dimitri van den Bergh

Wessel Nijman 6-4 Kevin Doets

William O’Connor 6-1 Jermaine Wattimena

Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Keane Barry

Semi-Final

Wessel Nijman 7-6 Chris Dobey

Luke Woodhouse 7-2 William O’Connor

Final

Wessel Nijman 8-5 Luke Woodhouse