BRILLIANT BUNTING WINS PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP 18
18/06/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
STEPHEN BUNTING stormed to the Players Championship 18 title after beating Jermaine Wattimena 8-5 in the final.
Former Masters champ Bunting has now won four ProTour events in his career.
‘The Bullet’ smashed in a cracking 164 checkout to take a 2-1 lead against Wattimena.
World No. 4 Bunting reeled off a 12-dart leg to break the Dutchman’s throw and gain a 3-1 advantage.
The Liverpudlian chucked in a cracking 156 finish to extend his lead to 5-1 in the final.
Wattimena valiantly fought back to take the bout to 7-4 at the Mattioli Arena.
But Bunting’s relentless scoring was too much to handle, firing in six 180s, averaging 104.84, and wrapping up victory with a superb 94 outshot.
St Helens thrower Bunting was full of praise for Wattimena after their contest and revealed he was delighted to win his FOURTH PDC senior title this year.
He said: “Jermaine is a fantastic player. He will definitely win one of these ProTour events.
“He is more than good enough. He will be wounded that he lost that game.
“But he has great ability and a good team around him who have all stayed behind to support him which is lovely to see.
“Once he gets one there could be no stopping him.”
He added: “I feel like I played really well the last two days. Obviously coming in with a lot of confidence from the World Series win in Copenhagen.
“I had a nice little family holiday over the last few days in my caravan in North Wales.
“I’ve played some good stuff. I think I only had two averages under 100 over the last two days so I am really pleased.
“I’ve won on the European Tour, and I’ve won on the World Series as well so yeah, I’m coming in with confidence.
“I will really enjoy this win and celebrate tonight.
“I’ve got a smile on my face and when I do that means I am dangerous.
“I’ve gone into this year with a free hit. I’ve had the Premier League and I’ve really enjoyed it.”
The former Lakeside champion quipped he may have to improvise for his trademark victory photo in bed — with no trophy to pose with this time.
He revealed: “I might take the microphone and get a picture with that instead!”
Bunting averaged a stellar 106.43 to defeat Alan Soutar 6-4 in the last 16.
The 40-year-old whacked in yet another ton plus average of 102.51 and four 180s to overcome Karel Sedlacek 6-4 in the quarter-final.
Bunting edged Dave Chisnall 7-6 in the semi-final to enter his fifth final of 2025.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
