Plaisier claims first PDC title at PC28
Wesley Plaisier claimed his first senior PDC title at Players Championship 28 in Wigan on Wednesday, defeating Josh Rock 8-7 in a thrilling final.
Plaisier’s remarkable run sees him become just the fourth player to win a PDC ranking title without holding a PDC Tour Card.
The Dutchman, who came runner-up in back-to-back Players Championship events in July, survived six match darts from Rock in the final.
“I cannot believe it, to be honest, it’s unbelievable,” said Plaisier.
“Every game is tough but the final was a really hard game; I was hoping and praying I would get another chance.
“In the quarter-finals I managed to come back from 5-3 down against Jose [de Sousa] and I started thinking ‘maybe this is my day’.
“I’ve been playing well all year and this is a crown on top of it.”
A compelling final saw Rock land a 111 checkout to move half-way to victory at 4-3 up, before Plaisier won four of the next six legs to move to the brink of victory at 7-6.
Rock produced a skin-saving 112 checkout to force a decider, but spurned six match darts at doubles 16, eight and four, allowing Plaisier to wrap up victory on double top.
Plaisier began the day with wins over Matt Campbell, Ritchie Edhouse and Florian Hempel, before coming through deciding legs against Krzysztof Ratajski and De Sousa to reach the semi-finals, where he defeated fellow-Dutchman Danny Noppert 7-5.
Meanwhile, Rock produced some dazzling displays as he came agonisingly close to a third ranking title of the year, including a 110.89 average in his last 16 win over George Killington.
That game also saw Rock become the third player of the day to hit a nine-darter in Wigan, following Jamie Hughes and Callum Goffin’s first round efforts against Niels Zonneveld and Jelle Klaasen respectively.
The 2024 PDC ProTour season continues on Friday with the Gambrinus Czech Darts Open (ET13) – the final European Tour event of 2024 – which will take place from October 18-20 at the PVA EXPO in Prague.
The event draw and results are listed in the Match Centre.
Click here for match stats and results through DartConnect.
2024 Players Championship 28
Wednesday October 16, Robin Park Leisure Centre, Wigan
Last 16
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Josh Rock 6-2 George Killington
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-1 Wessel Nijman
Ryan Joyce 6-4 Mervyn King
Wesley Plaisier 6-5 Krzysztof Ratajski
Jose de Sousa 6-1 Mensur Suljovic
Michael Smith 6-4 Ryan Searle
Danny Noppert 6-5 Mickey Mansell
Quarter-Finals
Josh Rock 6-4 Jonny Clayton
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 Ryan Joyce
Wesley Plaisier 6-5 Jose de Sousa
Danny Noppert 6-5 Michael Smith
Semi-Finals
Josh Rock 7-6 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Wesley Plaisier 7-5 Danny Noppert
Final
Wesley Plaisier 8-7 Josh Rock
Nine-Darters
Jamie Hughes hit a nine-darter in his first round tie against Niels Zonneveld.
Callum Goffin hit a nine-darter in his first round tie against Jelle Klaasen.
Josh Rock hit a nine-darter in his fourth round tie against George Killington.
—–ENDS—–
