Cameron Menzies Secures World Matchplay Spot With Emotional Players Championship 23 Triumph “I never thought I’d win one of these again. I thought I was done”
Cameron Menzies Secures World Matchplay Spot With Emotional Players Championship 23 Triumph “I never thought I’d win one of these again. I thought I was done”
Cameron Menzies ended his wait for a first title of 2026 in memorable fashion on Monday, defeating Cristo Reyes 8-5 to lift the Players Championship 23 crown in Leicester.
The Scot came through a stacked 128-player field at the Mattioli Arena to claim the £15,000 winner’s cheque, adding a third Players Championship title to his career after previous successes at the same venue in 2024 and 2025.
Victory also guaranteed Menzies a return to the Betfred World Matchplay later this month, securing his place in Blackpool after a challenging campaign that culminated in an emotional celebration.
Speaking after his triumph, Menzies reflected candidly on the difficult period he has endured away from the oche.
“It’s been a tough year, I was lucky… I think I needed that because I have struggled this year,” conceded Menzies, who spoke honestly about his tribulations following an emotional day in Leicester.
“I never thought I’d win one of these again!
“I thought I was done, I made a mistake – I let my family and my friends down. It’s a moment that I have to accept.
“I genuinely thought [my] darts were spiralling because I was struggling.
“It hasn’t been my best performance, to even get to the quarter-finals I was buzzing – I think I’ve won one board final all year!
“I’m in a good place in life at the moment, when your home life is good – [your] darts are good”, expressed Menzies, who opened up on the benefits of having a life coach alongside the support he has received from back home.
The 37-year-old made an impressive start to his campaign by averaging over 102 in a comprehensive 6-0 whitewash of Carl Sneyd.
He followed that performance with victory over Nathan Potter before recording another whitewash, this time against Norway’s Cor Dekker, to continue his charge through the draw.
One of Menzies’ standout performances came in the last 16, where he recovered brilliantly to defeat World Cup champion Josh Rock.
The Scotsman reeled off six consecutive legs to turn the contest around and complete a 6-3 victory over the Northern Irishman.
He then overcame Charlie Manby before producing another determined comeback against Dave Chisnall in the semi-finals to book his place in the final.
Standing between Menzies and the title was former World Championship semi-finalist Cristo Reyes, who was appearing in his first PDC ranking final since returning to the ProTour.
Menzies made the brighter start and looked set to take complete control, only to miss several opportunities to extend his advantage to 4-1.
Reyes capitalised by breaking throw with a 20-dart leg to close the gap and briefly shift the momentum.
However, Menzies quickly reasserted his authority.
Clinical legs of 12, 15 and 12 darts saw him surge into a commanding 6-2 lead, putting one hand firmly on the trophy.
The Spaniard refused to surrender and responded with three consecutive legs to threaten another dramatic turnaround.
Yet Menzies produced one final burst of quality, firing in a superb 10-darter to move within touching distance of victory before sealing an 8-5 success to complete an emotional afternoon in the East Midlands.
While Menzies celebrated a long-awaited return to the winner’s circle, Reyes also enjoyed a hugely encouraging tournament.
Having stepped away from the professional circuit for five years, the Spaniard has continued to impress since returning to the PDC ProTour, and his run to the final marked his best ranking event performance since making his comeback.
It also builds on the momentum gained from his run to the quarter-finals of a European Tour event earlier this year.
Reyes opened his challenge with a comfortable 6-3 victory over Poland’s Filip Bereza before producing impressive wins against Callan Rydz and tournament top seed Wessel Nijman.
The 38-year-old then swept aside William O’Connor without dropping a leg before overcoming Daniel Ayres and David Sharp to secure his place in the final.
Monday’s event also produced a series of high-profile upsets.
Ten seeded players were eliminated in the opening round, with Ross Smith, Gerwyn Price, Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen all suffering surprise defeats.
Van Gerwen was beaten by Challenge Tour standout Daniel Ayres, who went on to enjoy one of the runs of the day.
Ayres followed up his victory over the Dutch superstar with further wins against Thibault Tricole, Madars Razma and Yorick Hofkens before eventually bowing out in the quarter-finals.
The highest average of the tournament belonged to Kim Huybrechts.
The Belgian produced a superb display in the third round, averaging 106.33 during an impressive 6-3 victory over Chris Dobey.
Elsewhere, Joe Cullen achieved perfection during his meeting with Jack Tweddell by landing a nine-dart finish.
However, despite producing the perfect leg, Cullen’s moment of brilliance came in defeat as Tweddell ran out a 6-3 winner to continue his own impressive campaign.
Attention now turns to Players Championship 24 on Tuesday, the final ProTour event before the Betfred World Matchplay field is confirmed.
With several qualification places still up for grabs, players including Damon Heta and Daryl Gurney will be aiming to cement their places in Blackpool, while a number of others remain locked in a tense battle to book their spot at the Winter Gardens.
Cameron Menzies Secures World Matchplay Spot With Emotional Players Championship 23 Triumph
2026 Players Championship 23
Monday July 6
Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Last 16
Cristo Reyes 6-0 William O’Connor
Daniel Ayres 6-4 Yorick Hofkens
David Sharp 6-3 Wesley Plaisier
Tom Sykes 6-2 Kim Huybrechts
Charlie Manby 6-3 Adam Warner
Cameron Menzies 6-3 Josh Rock
Christian Kist 6-4 Mike De Decker
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Ryan Searle
Quarter-Finals
Cristo Reyes 6-4 Daniel Ayres
David Sharp 6-4 Tom Sykes
Cameron Menzies 6-2 Charlie Manby
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Christian Kist
Semi-Finals
Cristo Reyes 7-3 David Sharp
Cameron Menzies 7-5 Dave Chisnall
Final
Cameron Menzies 8-5 Cristo Reyes
Nine-Darter!
Joe Cullen hit a nine-dart finish in his round two tie against Jack Tweddell.
