Welshman Jonny Clayton added his name to the 2024 Players Championship winners, beating Wesley Plaisier 8-5 in the Final of Event 14 to become the 14th different champion this year on the PDC Pro Tour.
“The Ferret” earns £15,000 after coming through at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, winning a Players Championship Event for the first time since winning Pro Tour Event 12 in 2023.
“Fair play to Wesley. How he hasn’t got a Tour Card I’ll never know, because he can seriously play darts.
“Confidence is low when you’re not picking up results, but I’ve got my mojo back. I’ve got a smile on my face, and winning always helps.”
The 32-player field for the Betfred World Matchplay was confirmed following the conclusion of play in Milton Keynes, with the likes of Gian van Veen, Daryl Gurney and Brendan Dolan all securing their places at the Winter Gardens later this month.
Clayton opened his Players Championship 14 campaign with a 6-1 victory over Darren Beveridge, before reeling 5 legs on the spin in beating WDF World Champion Andy Baetens 6-2, including a 120 finish in leg 6.
Jonny then beat James Hurrell 6-1 with a 100.93 average, before defying a 110.71 score from Dom Taylor in the Last 16, beating “The Tower” 6-2 with 107.32 average himself and again winning 5 consecutive legs including an 11 and 12 darter.
The Red Dragon player came through a 6-4 winner against Martin Schindler in the Quarter Final, before ending Cameron Menzies’ hopes of a spot at the World Matchplay, with a 7-3 victory in the Semi Finals.
Wesley Plaisier enjoyed a fantastic two days at the Marshall Arena, reaching two Finals on the PDC Pro Tour despite not having a Tour Card. The Dutch international beat the likes of Arron Monk, Gerwyn Price, Ryan Joyce and Steve Beaton in another excellent display in Milton Keynes.
Clayton opened up a 4-1 lead in the Final having broken throw in the fourth leg, with Plaisier hitting finishes of 121 and 122 to keep himself in the match, whilst also finding a 161 check out in the 8th leg.
The Welshman included 7 180s in the Final and secured his victory of Players Championship 14 with a 52 checkout in 2 darts, on Double 16.
“I was way off at the start of the year, but something has clicked. I played well yesterday, and I played well today, so my consistency is there, and fingers crossed I can keep it going.
“It’s a great time to get your form back with the World Matchplay coming up, and hopefully I can go one step further this year.”
Jonny also reached the Quarter Finals of Players Championship 13 in the first instalment of the Pro Tour double header on Tuesday, losing out to eventual winner Ross Smith 6-4.
Elsewhere Jamie Hughes, Robert Owen and Luke Humphries all enjoyed runs to the Last 16 on Wednesday in Milton Keynes, with “Stack Attack” hitting a staggering 115.85 average in beating 2018 Champion of Champions winner Ryan Searle 6-1, hitting 2 11 darters and 2 12 dart legs.
World Champion Humphries included an impressive display to defeat Connor Scutt in the 2nd Round, wrapping up the win with a 152 checkout for a 12 dart leg and a 6-5 win whilst also averaging 104.78. !
The draw for the 2024 Betfred World Matchplay will commence today at 12pm, with the tournament itself beginning on the 13th of July.
Players Championship 14
Results:
Last 16:
Ryan Joyce 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Josh Rock 6-5 Jamie Hughes
Wesley Plaisier 6-4 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Graham Usher 6-4 Nathan Aspinall
Cameron Menzies 6-5 Luke Humphries
Damon Heta 6-0 Robert Owen
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Dom Taylor
Martin Schindler 6-3 Gabriel Clemens
Quarter Finals:
Ryan Joyce 6-1 Josh Rock
Wesley Plaisier 6-2 Graham Usher
Cameron Menzies 6-3 Damon Heta
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Martin Schindler
Semi-Finals:
Wesley Plaisier 7-4 Ryan Joyce
Jonny Clayton 7-3 Cameron Menzies
Final:
Jonny Clayton 8-5 Wesley Plaisier
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC
