Clinical Cullen seals ninth PDC title with victory over Heta at Players Championship 3

Joe Cullen has a second title of the 2022 season, his ninth PDC title and his sixth Players Championship triumph overall after seeing off Damon Heta 8-4 in the final in Wigan.

Last season, Cullen was lethal early doors in ProTour tournaments and has done the same this year after his Masters win, he has denied Heta a third title overall with 'The Heat' one of the leading lights so far this season on the ProTour.

Cullen sealed an 11-darter to back up a break of throw as he went 2-0 up early on. Heta hit back with a hold and got himself down to 170 on Cullen’s throw.

But Cullen missed bull for a 122 and with Heta unable to produce a 170, ‘The Rockstar’ return for 3-1. He sealed a double break from there as he looked to leave ‘The Heat’ behind with a 139 left on double 20.

Heta missed 167 on the bull and Cullen returned to pin that target and go 4-1 up looking for a four leg lead.

Heta was given a shot at 106 and couldn’t produce which saw Cullen reply on double 20 to go 5-1 up. ‘The Heat’ sealed a hold in the form of a 128 as he looked to fire himself up at 5-2 down.

He returned for double five to go 5-3 down with a break as he was throwing for a 5-4 deficit. Beginning with a 180, he looked to turn the screw. He tidied up double two to do just that and keep it interesting. 

Cullen missed a 56 checkout and having pressured, Heta had a shot at a break which he couldn’t take which allowed ‘The Rockstar’ back to chase round the board to double one to go 6-4 up.

Heta looked to get back on track but missed a 116 and Cullen returned for a 115 punish on double 18 as he went one away.

Cullen was given six darts at 100, Heta was well back and despite missing two match darts initially, Cullen returned for double five and the title.

James Wade (86.53) 6 | 4 (89.03) Steve West

Michael van Gerwen (107.40) 6 | 3 (100.61) Niels Zonneveld

Joe Murnan (90.21) 6 | 5 (88.54) Jamie Hughes

Damon Heta (104.48) 6 | 2 (97.33) Alan Soutar

Keane Barry (93.94) 6 | 0 (91.07) Kim Huybrechts

Connor Scutt (90.65) 6 | 4 (85.82) Scott Williams

Jose de Sousa (101.92) 6 | 5 (101.51) Lewy Williams

Joe Cullen (91.47) 6 | 4 (87.45) Daryl Gurney

James Wade (94.76) 4 | 6 (93.46) Michael van Gerwen

Joe Murnan (94.76) 3 | 6 (106.30) Damon Heta

Keane Barry (101.84) 5 | 6 (95.31) Connor Scutt

Jose de Sousa (90.65) 5 | 6 (101.49) Joe Cullen

Damon Heta (109.03) 7 | 4 (102.06) Michael van Gerwen

Connor Scutt (85.76) 5 | 7 (89.63) Joe Cullen

Damon Heta (99.37) 4 | 8 (95.35) Joe Cullen