Raymond van Barneveld experienced a significant setback during the PDC ProTour, recording his lowest-ever average. In the second round of Players Championship Two, he lost 6-1 to Owen Bates, averaging only 69.39. This marked a disappointing moment for the five-time world champion, eclipsing a previous low of 65.86 against Martin Adams in 2020.
Wessel Nijman Triumphs in Players Championship Final
In contrast, Wessel Nijman achieved a remarkable victory against Gerwyn Price in the Players Championship held at Halle 39 in Hildesheim. Nijman secured his fourth PDC ranking title in a thrilling final, overcoming Price despite the latter posting an impressive average of 107.41. Nijman ultimately claimed the £15,000 top prize.
Key Moments of the Final
- Nijman started strong with three 14-darters, taking a 3-1 lead.
- Price fought back, leveling the match at 3-3 and later leading 6-5.
- Nijman responded with a crucial 12-dart leg to even the score at 6-6.
- In the decisive moments, Nijman’s scoring proved decisive, as he hit a 171 and a 94 finish.
Nijman’s average in the final was an impressive 102.78. Following his victory, he expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Winning against Gerwyn means a lot. I’m happy with my performance.” He emphasized his goal of breaking into the top 16 of the rankings.
Additional Highlights from Players Championship Two
The tournament saw Gerwyn Price deliver a remarkable average of 105.69 across seven matches. His standout performance came in the last 16 against Luke Woodhouse, where he averaged 111.14. Price then faced Michael van Gerwen, averaging an astonishing 117.12 during their clash.
Notable Matches
- Quarter-finals featured Price defeating van Gerwen 6-0.
- Semifinals saw Price triumph 7-4 over Krzysztof Ratajski.
- Nijman bested Ryan Searle 7-2 in his semifinal.
The tournament included several high-profile eliminations, with James Wade falling to Dave Chisnall in a last-leg decider. European Champion Gian van Veen and two-time world champion Peter Wright also exited in the opening round. However, James Hurrell and Gabriel Clemens made headlines by achieving nine-dart finishes against their opponents.
| Round of Players Championship Two | Match Result |
|---|---|
| Last 16 | Gerwyn Price 6-4 Luke Woodhouse |
| Quarter-Finals | Gerwyn Price 6-0 Michael van Gerwen |
| Semi-Finals | Gerwyn Price 7-4 Krzysztof Ratajski |
| Final | Wessel Nijman 8-7 Gerwyn Price |
As the darting world looks ahead, fans await the next events in the Premier League, with previous champions like Luke Humphries defending their titles. The excitement continues every Thursday from February through May, closely followed on El-Balad.
