Gabriel Clemens ends long wait for maiden PDC title with stunning 170 finish in Leicester “I lost so many finals, and I’m very happy.I have no words”
Gabriel Clemens ends long wait for maiden PDC title with stunning 170 finish in Leicester “I lost so many finals, and I’m very happy.I have no words”
Gabriel Clemens finally broke his duck on the PDC ProTour after producing a sensational 170 checkout to defeat Luke Woodhouse 8-6 and lift his first-ever ranking title at Players Championship 24 on Tuesday.
The German star had suffered heartbreak in each of his previous seven ranking finals dating back to 2018, but he banished those memories in spectacular fashion at the Mattioli Arena, sealing victory with the biggest finish in darts to cap an unforgettable afternoon.
After a difficult 18 months that has seen him fall outside the world’s top 40, Clemens delivered one of the finest performances of his career to secure a landmark triumph and become only the fifth German player to win a PDC ranking title.
His success sees him join an exclusive list of German winners alongside Max Hopp, Ricardo Pietreczko, Martin Schindler and Niko Springer.
An emotional Clemens struggled to contain his feelings after finally getting over the line.
“I lost so many finals, and I’m very happy… I have no words now,” reflected Clemens.
“Last week, I had a quarter-final, and again earlier in the year. Now I hope it can keep going better.
“I have lost so many matches in finals, it was in my head; it’s normal.
“Every day I hope it’s my day… but today is my day!
“I’m very proud and I must say thank you to my wife. She always believes in me and I’m very happy now.”
Clemens began his title-winning campaign with a comfortable 6-3 victory over Thomas Lovely before producing a string of impressive performances against some of the biggest names in the field.
The 42-year-old eliminated Dutch duo Michael van Gerwen and Kevin Doets in successive rounds before surviving one of the moments of the tournament against Scott Williams.
Williams produced a spectacular nine-dart finish during their last-16 encounter, but Clemens refused to be rattled, edging out the former World Championship semi-finalist 6-5 to keep his hopes alive.
That victory sparked another level from the German.
He stormed past Mickey Mansell 6-1 in the quarter-finals before averaging just under 101 to dispatch Brendan Dolan 7-3 in the semi-finals and book his place in an eighth Players Championship final.
Clemens looked determined to make this opportunity count.
Five maximums in the opening seven legs helped him establish a commanding 5-2 advantage over Woodhouse, and he appeared in complete control of the contest.
However, the momentum swung dramatically when the German failed to capitalise on several opportunities to extend his lead to 7-2.
Woodhouse took full advantage, reeling off four consecutive legs to draw level at 6-6 and put himself within touching distance of another ranking title.
Rather than crumble under the pressure, Clemens responded brilliantly.
He held throw to edge back in front before producing the moment of the match, pinning the iconic 170 finish to complete victory in unforgettable style and finally secure the ranking title that had eluded him for so long.
Woodhouse can still reflect on another strong ProTour showing despite falling just short in the final.
The Englishman survived seven match darts during a dramatic opening-round win over Thibault Tricole before embarking on an excellent run through the draw.
He overturned a 3-1 deficit to eliminate Raymond van Barneveld in the second round before recording back-to-back 6-3 victories over Cam Crabtree and Justin Hood.
Woodhouse then produced one of his best displays of the day to whitewash Danny Noppert 6-0 with a 101 average before fighting back from 5-3 down to deny world number three Gian van Veen in a thrilling semi-final.
Van Veen enjoyed another consistent run to the latter stages, highlighted by an impressive victory over Gary Anderson in a repeat of their memorable World Championship semi-final from January.
Brendan Dolan also continued his resurgence by reaching his first ranking semi-final of the 2026 season.
The Northern Irishman defeated Stephen Bunting, Sebastian Bialecki and Chris Dobey during an impressive run, including a superb comeback from 5-2 behind against Dobey where he averaged almost 103.
His victory over Bialecki also ended the young Pole’s hopes of qualifying for the Betfred World Matchplay.
Dobey was joined in the quarter-finals by Noppert, Mansell and Madars Razma, whose deciding-leg victory over Daryl Gurney had major implications in the race to Blackpool.
Gurney’s defeat meant he missed out on qualification for the Betfred World Matchplay for the first time since 2015, while Dave Chisnall moved above the Northern Irishman to secure a remarkable 16th successive appearance at the Winter Gardens.
Attention now turns to the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay, which will take place from July 18-26 in Blackpool, where the sport’s biggest stars will battle for the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy across nine days.
Before then, the PDC European Tour returns with the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Open in Leverkusen from July 10-12, while Players Championship action resumes later this month in Hildesheim.
Gabriel Clemens ends long wait for maiden PDC title with stunning 170 finish in Leicester
2026 Players Championship 24
Tuesday July 7
Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Last 16
Mickey Mansell 6-5 Connor Scutt
Gabriel Clemens 6-5 Scott Williams
Chris Dobey 6-3 Owen Bates
Brendan Dolan 6-3 Bradley Brooks
Gian van Veen 6-3 Jeffrey de Zwaan
Madars Razma 6-2 Jermaine Wattimena
Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Justin Hood
Danny Noppert 6-4 Rob Cross
Quarter-Finals
Gabriel Clemens 6-1 Mickey Mansell
Brendan Dolan 6-5 Chris Dobey
Gian van Veen 6-3 Madars Razma
Luke Woodhouse 6-0 Danny Noppert
Semi-Finals
Gabriel Clemens 7-3 Brendan Dolan
Luke Woodhouse 7-5 Gian van Veen
Final
Gabriel Clemens 8-6 Luke Woodhouse
Nine-Darter!
Scott Williams landed a nine-darter in his round four tie against Gabriel Clemens.
