Joe Cullen seals first title since 2022 in dramatic Players Championship 5 comeback win over Gian van Veen in Leicester
PDC
Joe Cullen has won his first title since 2022 seeing off Gian van Veen in a dramatic comeback win coming from 6-4 down to win Players Championship 5 in Leicester.
It is his first title since winning two ProTours and the Hungarian Darts Trophy back in 2022 as he vanquished the Dutch ace who saw off Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen back-to-back but he spurned a myriad of match darts. This gave Cullen the chance to seal the title in style.
Cullen pinned 89 to go 2-0 up on Van Veen early on in the final. The Dutchman though made it 2-2 with a 78 checkout to level it up after The Rockstar.
Van Veen though led pinning double eight to make it 3-2. Cullen hit 98 on double 20 to make it 3-3.
Van Veen hit the front again on double 18 at 4-3. Cullen levelled up again at 4-4. Van Veen hit 76 to make it 5-4. Van Veen broke to go 6-4 up though in the race to eight.
Van Veen held to go one away at 7-4. But with the title begging, Cullen broke to suddenly throw for a decider. Cullen missed 84 for a decider and Van Veen had a dart for the title but missed 74.
Cullen hit double 12 to make it 7-7. Van Veen had first crack but missed 127 for the title and Cullen took aim but gave the Dutchman another go. He missed three more darts for the title and Cullen sealed the deal.
Players Championship 5 Results
Final
Joe Cullen (104.18) 8 | 7 (100.33) Gian van Veen
Semi-Finals
Gian van Veen (96.56) 7 | 6 (100.17) Luke Littler
Joe Cullen (100.60) 7 | 5 (93.50) Mike De Decker
Quarter-Finals
Gian van Veen (108.16) 6 | 4 (101.49) Michael van Gerwen
Luke Littler (122.96) 6 | 1 (99.57) Damon Heta
Mike De Decker (92.16) 6 | 2 (89.43) Rob Owen
Joe Cullen (90.60) 6 | 3 (87.02) Kevin Doets
Last 16
Gian van Veen (98.16) 6 | 3 (86.27) Dom Taylor
Michael van Gerwen (99.29) 6 | 2 (96.47) Lukas Wenig
Luke Littler (95.23) 6 | 2 (93.59) Scott Williams
Damon Heta (98.51) 6 | 3 (93.66) Martin Lukeman
Mike De Decker (91.14) 6 | 3 (88.47) Sebastian Bialecki
Rob Owen (89.72) 6 | 5 (95.66) Gary Anderson
Joe Cullen (99.38) 6 | 2 (96.16) Christian Kist
Kevin Doets (97.13) 6 | 5 (96.30) James Wade
| Gian van Veen | VS | Joe Cullen |
|---|---|---|
| 100.33 | Average (3 Darts) | 104.18 |
| 22 | 100+ Thrown | 12 |
| 11 | 140+ Thrown | 11 |
| 3 | 180 Thrown | 9 |
| 78 | Highest Checkout | 89 |
| 0 | Checkout 100+ | 0 |
| 46.7 | Checkout percentage | 72.7 |
| 7 / 15 | Checkout | 8 / 11 |
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