High-flying Dutch sensation Wessel Nijman completed a hat-trick of Players Championship triumphs this season, courtesy of a metaphorical thirty-yard screamer in Wigan this afternoon, with a valliant Scott Waites in goal and utterly helpless to intervene.
The 25-year-old’s latest success elevates his career tally to six titles – five of which have arrived within the past six months. Included within that burgeoning honours portfolio is, of course, a Euro Tour triumph.Once again, it was a breathtaking exhibition from the Dutchman from start to finish, culminating in an overall ton-plus average across the day.
His title-winning odyssey began with victories over Martin Lukeman and yesterday’s runner-up Justin Hood, before he emphatically whitewashed Adam Gawlas with an average approaching the 110 mark.
Having subsequently dispatched compatriot Niels Zonnerveld to reach the quarter-finals, Nijman ascended into an entirely different stratosphere. Beau Greaves was next to experience the full, unrelenting force of the European Darts Trophy champion, succumbing to a scintillating display akin to that inflicted upon Gawlas earlier in the day.
Harrow’s Luke Woodhouse was enjoying his deepest Players Championship run of the year, but Nijman abruptly curtailed that momentum at the semi-final stage with yet another colossal performance.
That set up a final showdown with one of the week’s call-up beneficiaries, Waites.Like Woodhouse, former Grand Slam champion Waites was not only thriving in his deepest Pro Tour run of the season, but also achieving a career-best performance on this circuit.
While the Yorkshireman has twice claimed the ultimate prize at Lakeside, his previous exploits on the PDC floor circuit had peaked at a pair of quarter-final appearances.
He began impressively, overcoming Damon Heta – who continues to endure a frustrating campaign – before dispatching Dudeney, Joe Cullen and Brendan Dolan.
Too Hotty then brought an end to another impressive run from Kevin Doets in the quarter-finals.Czech number one Karel Sedlacek – another player enjoying a strong season – also saw his progress halted, as Waites edged a tightly contested semi-final encounter.
However, in the final, it was largely one-way traffic. After edging ahead early to lead 2-1, Nijman accelerated relentlessly, reeling off five consecutive legs to surge to the brink of victory.
Waites briefly halted the onslaught, adding another leg to his tally, but moments later the Dutchman completed the job, securing yet another title with emphatic authority.
At this juncture, any conversation surrounding potential contenders for PDC TV majors this year must unquestionably include Wessel Nijman. Beyond the very highest echelon of the rankings, few players currently exude a more formidable and ominous presence on the oche.
PDC PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP – EVENT TEN
Wigan, UK (Tue 14th April)
Quarter-Finals
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Beau Greaves
Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Joe Hunt
Karel Sedlacek 6-5 Chris Dobey
Scott Waites 6-4 Kevin Doets
Semi-Finals
Wessel Nijman 7-4 Luke Woodhouse
Scott Waites 7-5 Karel Sedlacek
Final
Wessel Nijman 8-2 Scott Waites
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC
