Darts Players Championship 25: Henry Coates wins maiden tournament as Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen bow out early
Henry Coates sensationally won his maiden title at Players Championship 25 at Hildesheim in Germany.
The 20-year-old Englishman does not hold a PDC Tour card and came into the tournament as a top-up player from the Challenge Tour, but secured a sensational tournament win, beating Australian Damon Heta 8-4 with a 104.88 average in the 12-leg final.
"This probably won't sink in until next week," said Coates, who became the fifth player ever to win a PDC ranking title without a Tour card.
"Hopefully this is just the start. I've played for so many years and now the hard work and practice is paying off.
"Last time I played Damon it was my second ProTour event, just after I had won my first ProTour game, and I think he taught me a lesson beating me 6-0!
"I'm only a Challenge Tour player, but I'll take what I've got!"
High-ranking Van Veen, however, was the victim of a 6-3 round of 64 shock defeat to Canadian Jim Long, with Long winning the last three legs to put out the World No 3 after the Dutchman handily beat Tom Sykes 6-3 in the opening round.
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His countryman, Michael Van Gerwen, was able to make it through his opening matches, beating Adam Warner 6-0 and Darius Labanauskas 6-3 in the first and second rounds respectively, but Jeffrey De Graaf won five legs on the bounce to secure a brilliant last 16 victory.
Elsewhere, Beau Greaves made a strong run to the round of 16 in her first tournament since winning the Women's World Matchplay in Blackpool, but fell 6-3 to German semi-finalist Niko Springer.
Who will win this year's BoyleSports World Grand Prix? World No 1 Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
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28 of July 2026
