DE GRAAF CLINCHES PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP 24
25/08/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
JEFFREY DE GRAAF clinched a maiden PDC senior title after beating Stephen Bunting 8-7 to win the Players Championship 24.
World No. 59 De Graaf fought back from 4-1 down to secure victory against the St Helens ace.
Stockholm thrower De Graaf fired in legs of 15, 14, 14 and 13 darts to edge 5-4 ahead in Milton Keynes.
Former World Cup quarter-finalist De Graaf took out a clinical 82 checkout to maintain a slender advantage at 6-5 and wrapped up victory with a stylish 91 finish.
De Graaf admitted he was thrilled to seal his spot at both the Players Championship Finals and the World Championship with the triumph.
He said: “It means a lot because it is my first ever tournament win in the PDC, so it is great.
“Third time is the charm, so I am happy that I won.
“I told myself in the final just stick in there and take all the chances that you get.
“In the beginning I missed a few darts at double, but I got it over the line in the end.
“I’m happy to be the first [Swedish player to win a Players Championship title], but hopefully not the last.
“For me the win is massive because I am safe for the Players Championship Finals now and the World Championships.
“It’s massive because it takes the pressure off.”
De Graaf thumped in a stellar 106 outshot and averaged 91.00 to defeat Michael Smith 6-2 in the last 16.
The 34-year-old smashed in 60 percent of his doubles on the way to defeating Alan Soutar 6-2 in the quarter-final.
De Graaf produced two stunning ton-plus finishes, including a brilliant 164, to sweep aside Scott Williams 7-1 in the semi-final.
Images by Taylor Lanning.
