Wessel Nijman clinched the second PDC ranking title of his career with a comprehensive 8-3 victory over Damon Heta in Thursday’s Players Championship 30 final.
Nijman stormed to victory in stunning style at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, averaging north of 103 and missing double 12 for a nine-darter during a dominant display against the Australian No 1.
Almost a year to the day since his maiden ProTour crown, Nijman delivered a series of classy performances to claim the £15,000 top prize and double his Players Championship title tally.
The Dutchman kicked off proceedings with a 103 average in his opening-round win over Tom Bissell, before following up victory over Marvin van Velzen with a six-leg blitz of Andy Baetens.
After overturning a 3-1 deficit against Cameron Menzies in the last 16, Nijman then swept aside Chris Dobey and Ryan Searle to set up a clash with Heta in Thursday’s showpiece.
The pair could not be separated after six legs, before Nijman produced a five-leg flurry to take the title, registering 14, 15, 14, 11 and 14-dart legs to cap off a memorable triumph.
The 25-year-old also came agonisingly close to landing a nine-dart finish in a high-quality final, missing double 12 for perfection in the penultimate leg of the contest.
“I felt like this [win] was coming, I’ve been playing really well over the last three days,” insisted Nijman, a semi-finalist at Players Championship 29 on Wednesday.
“It would have been nice to hit the nine-darter, but I was more worried about winning this final, and I’m so happy I did.”
Next up for Nijman is a first appearance at the World Grand Prix, as he prepares to make his double-start debut against 2018 world champion Rob Cross on Monday evening, live on Sky Sports.
“It’s a dream to play in these major tournaments like the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and European Championship,” Nijman continued.
“This is what we work all year for. We will have to see what next week brings, but I will try and approach it like any other tournament.”
World No 1 Luke Humphries, Jonny Clayton and Gary Anderson were among the high-profile casualties in round three, with top seed Josh Rock and Wednesday’s winner Ross Smith losing in the first round.
Following this week’s treble-header, the PDC ProTour season continues with Players Championships 31-32 in Wigan on October 14-15, as the race for Players Championship Finals qualification intensifies.
Luke Littler, Nathan Aspinall and Michael van Gerwen are among the names currently outside of the provisional qualification places for November’s Minehead event, with four events remaining ahead of the cut-off.
2025 Players Championship 30
Thursday October 2
Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Last 16
Chris Dobey 6-0 Max Hopp
Wessel Nijman 6-4 Cameron Menzies
Ryan Searle 6-5 Andrew Gilding
Mickey Mansell 6-2 Ryan Joyce
Rob Owen 6-2 Luke Woodhouse
Damon Heta 6-3 Jeffrey de Graaf
Bradley Brooks 6-1 Mike De Decker
Wesley Plaisier 6-1 Niels Zonneveld
Quarter-Finals
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Chris Dobey
Ryan Searle 6-3 Mickey Mansell
Damon Heta 6-3 Rob Owen
Wesley Plaisier 6-5 Bradley Brooks
Semi-Finals
Wessel Nijman 7-2 Ryan Searle
Damon Heta 7-6 Wesley Plaisier
Final
Wessel Nijman 8-3 Damon Heta
When is the World Grand Prix on Sky Sports?
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Highlights of the World Grand Prix 2024 between Luke Humphries and Mike De Decker
The 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix will take place at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester, from October 6-12, as 32 of the world’s top stars compete in one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries are set to be joined by world champion Luke Littler in headlining this year’s field.
Mike De Decker sensationally stormed to his first Premier Event title at last year’s event.
Sky Sports will once again be the home of the World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and more! Stream darts and more top sport with NOW
