Championship players 22: Rob Cross claims first Wigan title of the season with last-gasp win over Maik Kuivenhoven | Arrow News
Rob Cross claimed his first title of 2026 at the Players Championship 22 in Wigan, beating Maik Kuivenhoven 8-5 in the final on Wednesday.
Cross – who had not won a title since the inaugural Players Championship in 2025 – won seven straight matches to claim the £15,000 top prize at Robin Park Leisure Centre.
The former world champion’s victory cemented his place in the world qualifiers for July, following a fine day in oche with a tournament average of 98.91.
“I always thought I was going to win, and when I am, I usually win,” observed Cross, who has won the ProTour title every year since 2020.
“I’ve been through trials and tribulations. There’s a lot going on right now. If I get the best of my abilities I believe I can win every day, but sometimes mentally it can set you back.
“Three months ago he looked at the World Matchplay [race] and I’m out of it. I’m about £15,000 adrift, but I’ve managed to get a good kick up the rear.
“I know the World Matchplay is around the corner, and I love the World Matchplay. It’s all about results, and winning this today is very important for me.
“I still have a lot of support, and if I can keep playing the way I am, I still think I’m a threat to the top guys in the world.”
Cross had a good start to the day, picking off Dutch duo Chris Landman and Jimmy van Schie with back-to-back 6-1 victories, including a 103.43 average for the latter.
The 35-year-old’s dominance continued, seeing off Connor Scutt 6-2 before securing another 6-1 win against David Sharp in the last 16 with another impressive score of 104.73.
In the quarter-finals, Cross edged out Alexander Merkx 6-4 in his closest contest of the day, before a dramatic victory against Stephen Bunting to reach the final.
The 2019 World Matchplay winner scored three stunning scores of 170, 127 and 130 to go 3-1 up, before closing out the match with his third ton-plus average and defying a 104-over average from Bunting to reach his first ProTour final in 2026.
Five free throws started the final for Kuivenhoven, before Cross appeared to create some breathing space on the break to make it 4-2.
The Dutchman retreated, but Cross produced an impressive spell of three straight legs, including a 10-darter to cruise to victory.
The two-time European champion turned down four arrows in the next leg to allow Kuivenhoven back into the match, but recovered to win 8-5 and celebrate his 11th Players Championship title.
Kuivenhoven, meanwhile, broke new ground by reaching the final of the Players Championship, despite not making the final.
2026 Players Championship 22
Last 16
Alexander Merkx 6-5 Cristo Reyes
Rob Cross 6-1 David Sharp
Tommy Morris 6-5 Cam Crabtree
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Andrew Gilding
Gabriel Clemens 6-1 Mickey Mansell
Tom Bissell 6-5 Jonny Clayton
Gian van Veen 6-5 Adam Leek
Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Ryan Searle
Quarter-Final
Rob Cross 6-4 Alexander Merkx
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Tommy Morris
Tom Bissell 6-5 Gabriel Clemens
Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Gian van Veen
It’s the Semi-Final
Rob Cross 7-3 Stephen Bunting
Maik Kuivenhoven 7-6 Tom Bissell
Finally
Rob Cross 8-5 Mike Kuivenhoven
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