Dobey doubles his 2024 tally to deny Menzies at Players Championship 19

In the Players Championship 19 final on Thursday in Milton Keynes, Chris Dobey defeated Cameron Menzies in a stunning 8-6 victory that doubled his 2024 title total for 2024.

Dobey produced some electrifying performances in the final stages to grab the £15,000 top prize, joining Luke Littler and Damon Heta as the third player to win successive Players Championship titles this year.

On his route to triumph at the Marshall Arena, the 34-year-old recorded three career-high averages, one of which came in an exciting matchup with Menzies.

In an excellent opening to the final, the two exchanged four straight 14-dart holds. However, Menzies stole a march, leading 4-2, by starting leg six with back-to-back 180s.

Midway through the tie, Dobey reversed course and won five of the next six legs, including a 146 checkout in leg 12, to take a 7-5 lead, leaving the Scot cursing wasted opportunities.

Menzies was given an unexpected respite when Dobey missed four match darts in the next leg, but in a dramatic finish, the Scot paid it forward when Dobey scored a clinical 80 kill to win.

“Cammy is up there with some of the biggest scorers in the game,” reflected the former Masters champion, who averaged 100.47 to clinch his fifth PDC title.

“I was on the receiving end of that scoring yesterday, so it was nice to get a little bit of payback today!

“I’ve known Cammy for many years now. I’ve known his potential and how good he is for a long time, and I’m not surprised he’s coming here and doing what he’s doing.”

“It was a tough field today, so I’m delighted to be winning titles again,” continued Dobey, currently ranked 13th on the PDC Order of Merit.

“I was practising with Joe Cullen yesterday and I said: ‘The way I’m playing, I feel like I can win one of these two [events].’

“I need to push on and get into the top ten now. Not being in the Premier League this year gave me the kick up the backside I needed, and it’s brought my floor game on.”

Menzies, who advanced to his first PDC ProTour final on Wednesday after finishing as a semi-finalist in Players Championship 18, set a new record in Milton Keynes by triumphing in three close contests deciding on the second leg.

The 35-year-old, who has been one of the sport’s best performances lately, proved his mettle by defeating competitors Gian van Veen and Stephen Bunting to win the £10,000 runner-up prize.

In an incredible match against Van Veen in the third round, Menzies averaged 108 to his opponent’s 111. He also defeated Ricky Evans and Martin Lukeman with an even higher average before eliminating Thibault Tricole in a thrilling semifinal match.

After defeating Menzies with a match dart at tops, French trailblazer Tricole defeated German number two Gabriel Clemens and Ritchie Edhouse during his breakthrough journey to the final four.

Gurney advanced to the same stage ahead of Danny Noppert and Wessel Nijman of the Netherlands, after Noppert made an impression by playing in his second quarterfinal in as many days.

Nathan Rafferty of Northern Ireland, who defeated Joe Cullen and Michael van Gerwen to advance to his first ProTour quarterfinal of 2024, joined Noppert in the final eight

2024 Players Championship 19

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Thursday August 22

Last 16

Mensur Suljovic 6-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh

Chris Dobey 6-5 James Wade

Daryl Gurney 6-5 Matthew Dennant

Danny Noppert 6-4 Martijn Dragt

Martin Lukeman 6-3 Ross Smith

Cameron Menzies 6-4 Stephen Bunting

Thibault Tricole 6-5 Gabriel Clemens

Nathan Rafferty 6-4 Jeffrey Sparidaans

Quarter-Finals

Chris Dobey 6-1 Mensur Suljovic

Daryl Gurney 6-2 Danny Noppert

Cameron Menzies 6-5 Martin Lukeman

Thibault Tricole 6-3 Nathan Rafferty

Semi-Finals

Chris Dobey 7-3 Daryl Gurney

Cameron Menzies 7-6 Thibault Tricole

Final

Chris Dobey 8-6 Cameron Menzies