PDC Players Championship 21 Round-up | Wessel Nijman wins again! A sixth floor title in 2026 confirmed in tense final against Ryan Searle

Wessel Nijman is inevitable. He wins a sixth floor title in Players Championship 21 in a cagey final against Ryan Searle. Nijman took his chances and won 8-6.

Unbelievably, it is his first odd number Players Championship title, but that does not make it any more special. He was not at his best throughout the day, grinding out a number of results and defeating some very talented darters to get himself into another final.

His impeccable form over Searle continues in a tight match, Numerous times Searle broke but every time Nijman got back level. Missed darts on the outer ring by Searle proved to be his downfall as Nijman capitalised in world class fashion as he wins yet more ProTour glory.

It has been six Players Championship events since Nijman last clinched a title. By the expectations put on him this year, that has felt more like six years. Nevertheless, he made it back into another final on the floor in fine fashion. A comfortable 6-4 win over Stephen Burton opened his account before Daryl Pilgrim was quickly disposed of 6-2.

That was the same score in which he put up against Adam Gawlas before finding a way past Kai Gotthardt, who had averaged over 107 earlier on in the day, in a 6-3 win. His most dominant win may come as a surprise with that being against the inform Dutchman Kevin Doets. It was also his best performance with an average of 100.63 placed on top of a 6-1 win. He topped that with a 7-4 win against an improving Beau Greaves. He managed to deal with ‘Beau N Arrow’ expertly and was set to challenge for yet another PC crown.

Searle has regularly popped up with deep runs on the floor. When it clicks, he is a very dangerous player and that showed today with a brilliant run in Wigan to seal an 18th final on the floor. A ton average and whitewash win against Derek Coulson was the perfect way to kick off the day. It was tighter against Niall Culleton, but Searle had no trouble winning 6-4.

Another Irishman, this time in the form of Keane Barry, was downed 6-2. PC19 winner Jeffrey de Graaf posed a deadly threat as it went the distance. ‘Heavy Metal’ survived and won 6-5 before taking a 5-0 lead against Stephen Bunting in the quarter-final. A comeback attempt was halted, and he reached the semi-final after coming out on top 6-3. Another Premier League player was his next task, but Jonny Clayton would not stand a chance. Searle only averaged 89 but a 7-5 win earned him a place in the final.

Seven times they have played, and seven times Nijman has won. This was an ominous stat for Searle who began in a brilliant manner, breaking the throw with an 88 checkout in two. He should have been 2-0 ahead but three missed at double 12 opened the door for Nijman who broke back on double eight. The first hold soon followed in 12-darts before Searle got level with a 76 checkout on double four.

Both players had won eight Players Championship titles with the victor set to move one closer to double digits. Both players are capable of averaging astronomical amounts, but for the time being were sitting in the mid-90s. Searle almost showed that class with a 160 checkout, missing tops but coming back to pin double five. This was a break of throw, but again Nijman responded instantly after Searle almost found two double 19’s.

After Nijman missed the bull for a 121, Searle showed him how it was done for a 90 checkout. The breaks kept coming as Nijman found double 18 with his last dart to level at 4-4. Both players would struggle on tops. The former PDC World Darts Championship semi-finalist was disgusted with his effort on his favourite double as Nijman let out a positive reaction after again utilising his last dart on double five to end the breaks.

Searle got back level at 5-5 with his last dart on double 10 and was on top in the next leg. Nijman missed a dart to break in the prior leg on double 16 for a 110 outshot, and again in the next leg for a 111 checkout. However, as Searle’s tops woes prolonged, double four was Nijman’s saving grace as he edged two away.

A huge sucker punch was almost delivered to Searle after Nijman came close to the bull for a 170 checkout. Searle found tops to level again but spurned the chance of breaking in the next leg. A third ton+ checkout was missed on double 16 for Nijman but he was afforded to return as wasted chances to break left Searle with his head in his hands. The number one seed left double 18 before Searle missed another great opportunity on the bull for a show-stopping 161. Nijman got the job done for yet another title as his insane form in 2026 continues.

A number of big names did not bother turning up to Wigan to compete. World Cup winners Luke Littler and Luke Humphries were not involved with Littler still yet to open his account. Michael van Gerwen, James Wade, Josh Rock, Gary Anderson and Nathan Aspinall were not involved.

Gerwyn Price was one of the favourites going into today but lost out in the first round in a last-leg decider to Cristo Reyes. The highest ranked player involved, Gian van Veen, continued his PC slump. He was dumped out in the second round in another setback as his chances of qualifying for the Players Championship Finals come into question.

PC20 winner Ross Smith joined the inform Luke Woodhouse in being knocked out in the fourth round. ‘Smudger’ did play a thriller against Michael Smith in the second round. The former world champion averaged over 105 but still lost. He exited the same round as Peter Wright, Rob Cross and Dave Chisnall with Raymond van Barneveld picking up just four legs.