NIJMAN CLAIMS SIXTH PROTOUR CROWN OF THE YEAR
05/05/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
WESSEL NIJMAN insists breaking records is the last thing on his mind after clinching Players Championship 14.
The world No.16 becomes the first player in a DECADE to lift five floor titles in a campaign after beating Max Hopp 8-1 in the final.
The Dutchman has picked up a SIXTH ProTour crown this season and the £15,000 top prize in Hildesheim.
Nijman produced a stunning 102.98 average to thrash Krzysztof Ratajski 6-1 in the quarter-finals before backing it up with another ton-plus display in a commanding 7-2 victory over fellow compatriot Danny Noppert in the semi-finals.
He said: “It’s always good to save your best game for the final. I’m just so happy to keep this streak going and pleased with the way I’m playing.
“I’m really pleased to have won another one. I’m feeling confident in these floor events and hopefully I can keep playing like this for years to come.
“I don’t care about records — I care about the form I’m showing right now, and that’s pretty good.
“It’s always nice to have those records in the bag, but they don’t give you much more than the form you’re currently in.
“I want to be in the top 16 and I want to make as many steps as close to No.1 as possible by the end of the year.
“I’m just happy to be in the top 16 right now. Hopefully I can maybe break into the top 10, top eight, or even the top two.
“I don’t need motivation from other players skipping tournaments. I just want to be part of as many great tournaments as possible.”
Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen crashed out in the last 32 despite averaging an impressive 101.08 in a 6-4 defeat to Mensur Suljovic.
Richard Veenstra also grabbed the headlines after producing a sensational nine-darter during his 6-4 victory over Leon Weber in round two.
Beau Greaves exited in the last 64 following a 6-4 loss to William O’Connor, while Ricardo Pietreczko withdrew from his first-round clash with Jeffrey de Zwaan after just two legs, having averaged below 60.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
