NIJMAN CLINCHES PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP 30
02/10/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
WESSEL NIJMAN stormed to the Players Championship 30 title after dispatching Damon Heta 8-3 in the final.
World No. 38 Nijman picks up his second PDC ranking crown of his career and the £15K top prize.
The Dutchman averaged a stellar 103.44 and missed double 12 for a nine-darter during a dominant display against Heta.
Nijman produced a string of superb displays across the day and revealed he had been brimming with belief throughout the week.
He said: “I’m so happy I won this final. I felt this win was coming, I’ve been playing really well over the last three days.
“I felt really nice all day long apart from one game. I played Marvin van Velvzen in my second game and it wasn’t my best performance.
“But all my other matches were alright. I would say over the last two days I have played really good.
“I just bumped into Jonny Clayton who had an 110 average on Monday.
“Then yesterday I ran into Ross Smith who played really well.
“But I knew this win was coming because I have been playing really good throughout the week.”
Nijman now has his eyes on the upcoming majors and says the victory has only fueled his hunger for more silverware.
He added: “It’s a dream to play the major tournaments like the Grand Prix, Matchplay and World Championships.
“That’s why we play the ProTour to qualify for those tournaments. So, we will see what it brings next week.”
Nijman admits hearing stories from legends like Dutch icon Raymond van Barneveld and Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts keep him motivated to chase further success.
He continued: “It’s not only the youth players but the established big men that encourage me more to be at the top.
“Sitting at the table with Raymond and Kim, you hear those stories about reaching the semi-finals and finals of major tournaments, that is what pushes you.”
The match was locked at 3-3 before Nijman turned on the style, rattling off back-to-back legs to move 5-3 ahead of Heta.
He then produced a clinical 70 checkout and came agonisingly close to perfection with eight flawless darts, only to miss double 12 for a nine-darter — before mopping up on double three.
Nijman held his nerve in the decider, sealing the triumph with a composed 14-darter and a pinpoint double eight for victory.
The 25-year-old was ruthless on the outer ring, nailing seven of his 14 doubles in a dominant 7-2 demolition of Ryan Searle in the semi-final.
Nijman had earlier averaged 100.49 and produced a stunning 132 finish to sweep past Chris Dobey 6-2 in the quarters.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
