It is proving to be a remarkably prosperous fortnight for Luke Woodhouse. The Worcestershire thrower recently secured the maiden Players Championship title of his professional career before augmenting that landmark accomplishment with further silverware at last weekend’s Baltic Sea Darts Open.
Having already elevated himself into one of the most conspicuous performers on the circuit, Woodhouse came agonisingly close this afternoon in Milton Keynes to extending his extraordinary sequence of results.
His latest deep run eventually concluded at the semi-final stage, where he succumbed to Jeffrey de Graaf in a captivating last-leg decider that once again underlined the Englishman’s burgeoning confidence and competitive resilience.
Another player to emerge from Arena MK with considerable encouragement was former World Champion Rob Cross. Voltage produced his most impressive floor performance of the season before seeing his challenge halted in the last four by Jonny Clayton.
Somewhat surprisingly, given his stature within the sport, that this semi-final appearance represents Cross’ deepest run on the circuit throughout 2026. Nevertheless, recent evidence suggests his form is trending in a decidedly positive direction, having also progressed to the semi-final stage in two of his last three European Tour appearances.
Spain’s Cristo Reyes likewise enjoyed one of his most distinguished outings of the campaign. Following a sequence of comparatively early exits in recent weeks, the Spaniard rediscovered some of the form that previously established him among the sport’s most respected international competitors.
His run eventually concluded in the quarter-finals, although the performance nevertheless constituted his most substantial advancement of 2026 to date.
Ireland’s Mickey Mansell also ventured into relatively unfamiliar territory this season. Alongside compatriot William O’Connor, both men negotiated their way to the quarter-final stage before eventually bowing out to Woodhouse and Cross respectively.
With more than a dozen withdrawals from the event, including several prominent names from the game”s upper echelons, opportunities inevitably emerged for others to capitalise. Several competitors seized that opportunity with both hands.
Bradley Brooks and the evergreen Mervyn King each progressed to the last 16, matching their deepest tournament runs of the year and providing further evidence of renewed competitiveness.
A special mention must also be afforded to Rob Owen. The opening months of his season were characterised by frustration and inconsistency, with Stack Attack failing to register consecutive victories until the conclusion of April’s Players Championship action – also in Milton Keynes.
Since that breakthrough, however, his fortunes have undergone a notable transformation. Across his last nine appearances, he has suffered only a solitary first-round defeat, compiling two quarter-final finishes and adding today’s last-16 showing.
Such sustained improvement suggests the Welshman may finally be gathering the momentum required to establish himself as a more regular contender during the second half of the season.
Images: PDC
