Flawless Wessel Nijman stops relentless Gerwyn Price to win Players Championship 2

Wessel Nijman produced a performance of maturity and nerve to overcome Gerwyn Price in a pulsating final and secure his fourth PDC ranking title at Players Championship Two in Hildesheim on Tuesday. In a contest that showcased two of the most consistent performers on the 2025 Players Championship circuit, the young Dutchman held firm under immense pressure to deny Price a richly deserved triumph.

Both finalists arrived in Halle 39 as the standout players of the season so far, and they delivered a final worthy of top billing on a remarkable day of darts. While Price produced one of the most statistically impressive performances of his career, it was Nijman who ultimately walked away with the £15,000 winner’s cheque after edging a dramatic deciding-leg battle.

Nijman made a confident start to the final, settling quickly into his rhythm and firing in three 14-dart legs to move 3-1 clear. His scoring power and composure suggested a player growing increasingly comfortable at the sharp end of major PDC events. Price, however, responded in typically defiant fashion. A stunning 144 checkout in the sixth leg swung momentum back in his favour, allowing the Welshman to draw level and remind his opponent of the quality he was facing.

The former world champion continued to apply pressure as the match wore on. An 11-darter in leg ten, followed by a superb 121 finish on the bull, saw Price edge ahead at 6-5. At that point, his relentless scoring and clinical finishing looked as though they might prove decisive. Nijman, though, refused to blink. He immediately responded with a superb 12-dart break of throw to level proceedings once again, underlining the resilience that has become a hallmark of his rapid rise.

With the contest finely balanced, both players held throw to force a deciding leg, sending tension levels soaring inside Halle 39. The advantage of starting that final leg ultimately proved crucial. Nijman delivered a breathtaking 171 checkout before calmly mopping up a 94 finish to seal victory, defying a monumental 107.41 average from Price in the process. Nijman himself averaged an impressive 102.78 in a final that will be remembered as one of the highlights of the early ProTour season.

Reflecting on the win, Nijman was understandably proud of his achievement. He spoke of how much it meant to defeat an opponent of Price’s calibre in such a high-quality encounter, while also stressing his determination to keep improving. The Dutchman acknowledged that while he is edging closer to the world’s elite, his ambitions stretch far beyond his current ranking position, with long-term goals of breaking into the top 16 and delivering his best darts consistently on the biggest stages.

Nijman’s path to the title was built on a series of commanding performances throughout the day. He began his campaign with straightforward victories over Viktor Tingstrom and Samuel Price before producing one of his standout displays against Cor Dekker. In that match, Nijman averaged close to 105 to overcome the Norwegian number one and announce his intent. He followed that up with a composed win over debutant Tommy Morris in the last 16, before stepping up another level in the quarter-finals.

Facing Carl Sneyd, Nijman averaged 106 in a dominant display that left little doubt about his form. That victory set up a semi-final clash against Ryan Searle, one of the tour’s heaviest scorers. After falling 2-0 behind, Nijman found another gear, reeling off seven consecutive legs to book his place in the final with authority.

Price’s run to the final was equally eye-catching, if not more so from a statistical standpoint. Across his seven matches, the Welshman posted a staggering tournament average of 105.69, producing the two highest match averages of the entire event. He began with a clinical win over Kim Huybrechts, before claiming back-to-back 6-2 victories against Stephen Burton and Cristo Reyes.

The true fireworks arrived in the last 16, where Price dismantled Luke Woodhouse with a sensational 111.14 average. That set up a highly anticipated meeting with long-time rival Michael van Gerwen, and Price raised his game even further. Averaging an astonishing 117.12, he completed a rapid whitewash in just nine minutes, peppering the board with legs of exceptional quality.

Price continued his charge in the semi-finals, averaging over 104 in a 7-4 win against Krzysztof Ratajski. Despite that momentum, he was ultimately denied by Nijman’s composure and precision when it mattered most.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Ratajski impressed by eliminating Dirk van Duijvenbode and Danny Noppert, while Searle accounted for Kevin Doets and Dave Chisnall before his run was halted in the semi-finals. Sneyd enjoyed a memorable day, defeating former European champions Ross Smith and Ritchie Edhouse to reach the quarter-finals, while Van Gerwen completed the last-eight line-up following an impressive opening-round win over Michael Smith.

The event also featured moments of perfection, with James Hurrell and Gabriel Clemens both hitting nine-dart finishes. Hurrell achieved his perfect leg in round one against Maik Kuivenhoven, while Clemens produced his moment of brilliance in round three, averaging 108 as he defeated Madars Razma.

Attention now turns to Wigan, where the PDC ProTour continues next week. Players Championships 3 and 4 will take place at the Robin Park Leisure Centre on February 16 and 17, as the battle for ranking points and momentum gathers pace.

Flawless Wessel Nijman stops relentless Gerwyn Price to win Players Championship 2 

2026 Players Championship Two

Tuesday February 10

Halle 39, Hildesheim

Last 16

Gerwyn Price 6-4 Luke Woodhouse

Michael van Gerwen 6-5 James Hurrell

Danny Noppert 6-2 Gabriel Clemens

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Mario Vandenbogaerde

Ryan Searle 6-4 Kevin Doets

Dave Chisnall 6-3 Daryl Gurney

Wessel Nijman 6-4 Tommy Morris

Carl Sneyd 6-5 Ritchie Edhouse

Quarter-Finals

Gerwyn Price 6-0 Michael van Gerwen

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Danny Noppert

Ryan Searle 6-1 Dave Chisnall

Wessel Nijman 6-2 Carl Sneyd

Semi-Finals

Gerwyn Price 7-4 Krzysztof Ratajski

Wessel Nijman 7-2 Ryan Searle

Final

Wessel Nijman 8-7 Gerwyn Price

Nine-Darters!

James Hurrell hit a nine-darter in his round one tie against Maik Kuivenhoven.

Gabriel Clemens hit a nine-darter in his round three tie against Madars Razma.