Players Championship 23 Round-Up | Cameron Menzies seals third title in Leicester, confirms World Matchplay spot and denies Reyes maiden glory
PDCMonday, 06 July 2026 at 19:57
It is a big double header of Players Championship action as Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Gerwyn Price lead the way with Luke Littler, Luke Humphries among others missing. But it was Cameron Menzies who won for the third consecutive year in Leicester.
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The World Matchplay race also concludes on Tuesday which will see the field set for the Blackpool major so the pressure is certainly on and for Menzies, it was confirmation of his spot.
The final in fact saw two players aiming to either solidify or make late pushes for Blackpool as Cristo Reyes was looking for a near impossible task as such in making it to Blackpool in his first year on tour back.
Reyes who made his PDC return at Q-School this year has been in fantastic form ever since with his rolls royce action not waning for a second since he came back to the sport. He sat in 22nd pre-final and would likely need a semi-final run or win minimum to have any hopes of Blackpool. But it also helps his form when it comes to other tournaments like the World Grand Prix.
Today he saw off David Sharp in the semi-final, Daniel Ayres in the Quarter-Finals, William O'Connor in the Last 16. Top seed Wessel Nijman in the Last 32 as well as Callan Rydz and Filip Bereza.
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Menzies seals glory
Cameron Menzies on the other hand has been teetering on the edge for a bit and has looked to solidify his spot today. He saw off Dave Chisnall who sits on the cusp of making sure he is not out of Blackpool for the first time in 15 years. He has had a fantastic day, but he lost 7-5 to Menzies.
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Others to follow a similar fate included Charlie Manby in the Quarter-Finals, 10th seed Josh Rock in the Last 16. Cor Dekker lost in the Last 32 while he also took early wins over Nathan Potter and Carl Sneyd.
To start the final, Reyes has missed two at double one and Menzies eventually back for double four for a break. He was 2-0 up throwing for 3-0. Menzies got first to a finish. He was on 181 and got it down to 120. The Scot got one dart and didn't take it but he returned. Reyes was on 204 so Menzies returned for 3-0.
Reyes was first to a finish on his throw. He hit 99 to leave double six. Menzies was way back and Reyes got on the board on double six. Both hit 180's but Menzies was to leave 45. Reyes hit another to leave 44 but Menzies looked at 45. He missed it though. Reyes returned but missed three darts. But Menzies busted and Reyes returned to miss more darts. Menzies got nervy also and missed yet more darts.
Reyes got down to double one but he didn't execute and Menzies himself looked at double one. He missed that though and Reyes after nearly 40 darts hit double one for 3-2.
A superb 100 checkout with Reyes waiting saw Menzies make it 4-2 and break back. He was throwing to make it 5-2. 124 checkout for Menzies to open a three leg cushion from there for 5-2.
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He turned on the afterburners. Another two maximums for Menzies who left 141 for a seventh 180. We didn't have a 141 but he hit 109 to leave 32 for a potential 10-darter. It was a 12-darter but he pinned double four to break for 6-2.
Three years, three Menzies titles.
Reyes though looked to break straight back. He missed double 13 for an 81 checkout. Menzies looked at 101 but didn't get a dart. Reyes eventually hit double three to break back for 6-3 and was looking for 6-4.
Reyes couldn't hit a treble and was allowing Menzies to open the door. He hit 100 to leave 185, but Reyes hit 140 to leave 98. Menzies was sat on 90 with Reyes looking at 98. He missed double 20 and Menzies to slip into the five. Reyes held for 6-4 down.
Reyes missed bull to go within one on 121. Menzies couldn't pin 160 and Reyes returned. He missed two darts for 6-5 down. Menzies looked at 60. But he missed double 20 and Reyes returned for double four to make it 6-5. He was throwing for 6-6.
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Reyes missed two for parity and Menzies returned for double 18 to go one away. He was 7-5 up. A 180 from Reyes who was first to a finish on 124. Menzies couldn't get down to one and Reyes set up double 16 on return. He missed three.
Menzies looked at 100 but missed double 20 for the second one. Reyes returned but missed three more on the wire. Menzies back for double 16 for the title.
Poor day for big names
In terms of the big names, it was a pretty rubbish day. Gerwyn Price was dumped out by Harry Ward in the opening round. Michael van Gerwen also lost early to Daniel Ayres.
A hit at Silverstone, not in Leicester as MVG bows out early.
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Beau Greaves got a pretty rough draw in Stephen Bunting and lost 6-3. Gary Anderson similarly lost to James Wade 6-5. While Gian van Veen lost also first round to Jim Long.
In the end, the latter stages were full of the likes of Tom Sykes, Kim Huybrechts among others who have all showed fabulous form and the big names will need to return tomorrow to stake their claim.
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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