Players Championship 21: Wessel Nijman claims sixth title of season with victory over Ryan Searle in Wigan final

17.06.2026, 02:21 skysports.com

Wessel Nijman maintained his remarkable record against Ryan Searle to clinch an extraordinary sixth Players Championship title of the season on Tuesday.

The Dutch superstar recorded an eighth consecutive victory over Searle to capture the Players Championship 21 crown - the 10th PDC ranking title of his fledgling career.

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

Following victories over Stephen Burton, Darryl Pilgrim, Adam Gawlas and Kai Gotthardt, Nijman powered in a ton-plus average to sweep aside Kevin Doets in an all-Dutch quarter-final.

The European Darts Trophy champion then overcame the brilliant Beau Greaves in the semi-finals, following up 127 and 101 checkouts with legs of 11 and 15 darts to seal a 7-4 success.

This set up a tantalising showdown against Searle in Tuesday's showpiece, where six of the opening eight legs were won against throw.

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Nijman then punished three missed doubles from Searle in the penultimate leg to edge 7-6 ahead, before wrapping up victory with a 14-darter, after the Somerset star had wired the bull for a 161 skin-saver.

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

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

"It's never getting boring, I'll tell you that," reflected Nijman, who leapfrogs Nathan Aspinall on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder.

"I was in this tournament without any expectations to be honest because I haven't thrown a single dart in ten days.

"I went on holiday with my girlfriend in Greece… I think I might need to go to Greece more often now!

"I'm very pleased with the way I'm playing right now and the titles I've won. I think it's probably not normal the amount of titles I've won this year.

"I'm looking ahead to all of the next tournaments. I'm going into these TV events differently to last time. I'm getting more experience and that can make a difference."

Despite missing out on a second ranking title of the campaign, Searle put in another impressive showing at the Robin Park Leisure Centre, which began with a whitewash win against Derek Coulson.

The 38-year-old then saw off Irish duo Niall Culleton and Keane Barry, before averaging north of 101 in a deciding-leg victory against Sweden's premier player Jeffrey de Graaf.

The World Championship semi-finalist continued his charge by claiming the scalps of Premier League stars 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 Players Championship 11 winner Greaves.

The two-time Women's World Matchplay champion accounted for a quartet of PDC title winners across the afternoon, dumping out Ryan Joyce, Ian White, Luke Woodhouse and Chris Dobey respectively.

Greaves averaged almost 106 to prevail in an enthralling contest against Dobey, who completed the quarter-final line-up alongside Bunting, Doets and Dirk van Duijvenbode.

The action continues on Wednesday as Players Championship 22 takes place at the same venue.

Last 16Wessel Nijman 6-3 Kai GotthardtKevin Doets 6-1 Tommy LishmanChris Dobey 6-5 Niels ZonneveldBeau Greaves 6-3 Luke WoodhouseDirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Ross SmithJonny Clayton 6-5 Karel SedlacekRyan Searle 6-5 Jeffrey de GraafStephen Bunting 6-4 Callan Rydz

Quarter-FinalsWessel Nijman 6-1 Kevin DoetsBeau Greaves 6-4 Chris DobeyJonny Clayton 6-4 Dirk van DuijvenbodeRyan Searle 6-3 Stephen Bunting

Semi-FinalsWessel Nijman 7-4 Beau GreavesRyan Searle 7-5 Jonny Clayton

FinalWessel Nijman 8-6 Ryan Searle

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