Players Championship 21: Wessel Nijman goes for sixth title of the season with win over Ryan Searle in Wigan final | Arrow News

Wessel Nijman maintained his impressive record by beating Ryan Searle to win his sixth Players Championship title of the season on Tuesday.

The Dutch star recorded an eighth consecutive victory over Searle to claim the Players Championship 21st title – the 10th PDC title of his young career.

Nijman has been a revelation in 2026, and continued his brilliant ProTour form at Wigan, recording seven straight wins to extend his lead at the Players Championship.

After victories over Stephen Burton, Darryl Pilgrim, Adam Gawlas and Kai Gotthardt, Nijman powered through a ton-plus average to sweep Kevin Doets in the Dutch quarter-finals.

The European Darts Trophy champion then overcame the brilliant Beau Greaves in the semi-finals, following a 127 and 101 outing in 11 legs and 15 darts to win 7-4.

This set up an interesting match with Searle in Tuesday’s match, where six of the opening eight legs were won by toss.

Nijman then punished three missed doubles from Searle in the penalty leg to go 7-6 ahead, before completing the victory with a 14-darter, after the Somerset star connected with a bull to save 161.

The 25-year-old became the first player in 14 years to win six Players Championship titles in a calendar year – a feat previously achieved by compatriot Michael van Gerwen.

Nijman also became the sixth player to win seven ProTour titles in a single season, joining the decorated quintet of Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld, Gary Anderson, Van Gerwen and Peter Wright.

“There’s never been a dull moment, I’ll tell you that,” reflected Nijman, who leapfrogs Nathan Aspinall on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder.

“I was in this tournament not expecting to be honest because I haven’t thrown a single dart in ten days.

“I went on vacation with my girlfriend to Greece… I think I might have to go to Greece more often now!

“I’m very happy with the way I’m playing right now and the titles I’ve won. I think it’s unlikely that I’ll win titles this year.

“I’m looking forward to all the next tournaments. I’m going to go into these TV events with a different approach to make it last. I’m getting more experience and that can make a difference.”

Despite missing out on a second title of the campaign, Searle produced another impressive performance at Robin Park Leisure Centre, starting with a clean sheet against Derek Coulson.

The 38-year-old then broke with Irish pair Niall Culleton and Keane Barry, before scoring a northern average of 101 in a second-leg win against Swedish Premier Jeffrey de Graaf.

The World Championship semi-finalist continued his charge by claiming Premier League legends Stephen Bunting and Jonny Clayton, earning him £10,000 in prize money.

Welsh No 1 Clayton registered a hat-trick of ton-plus averages in his run to the last four, where he was joined by 11-time Players Championship winner Greaves.

The two-time Women’s World Matchplay champion tallied a quartet of PDC title winners on the afternoon, knocking out Ryan Joyce, Ian White, Luke Woodhouse and Chris Dobey respectively.

Greaves nearly reached 106 to win in a thrilling contest against Dobey, who finished in the quarter-final alongside Bunting, Doets and Dirk van Duijvenbode.

This event continues on Wednesday as the Players Championship 22 will be held at the same venue.

2026 Players Championship 21

Last 16
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Kai Gotthardt
Kevin Doets 6-1 Tommy Lishman
Chris Dobey 6-5 Niels Zonneveld
Beau Greaves 6-3 Luke Woodhouse
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Ross Smith
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Karel Sedlacek
Ryan Searle 6-5 Jeffrey de Graaf
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Callan Rydz

Quarter-Final
Wessel Nijman 6-1 Kevin Doets
Beau Greaves 6-4 Chris Dobey
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Ryan Searle 6-3 Stephen Bunting

Semi-finalist
Wessel Nijman 7-4 Beau Greaves
Ryan Searle 7-5 Jonny Clayton

Finally
Wessel Nijman 8-6 Ryan Searle

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