Gian van Veen has finally landed his first Players Championship title with victory in the sixth event of 2025 on Wednesday.
On the previous day, the Dutchman missed darts to win the title, eventually losing to Joe Cullen, but he made amends with another sensational set of performances in Players Championship 6.
Van Veen did not average less than 96 during his first six matches, only dropping 14 legs in the process, to set up a showdown with world number one Luke Humphries.
After taking the opening two legs in 18 darts, there was no stopping Van Veen, especially once he went 4-1 ahead, as Humphries struggled to find an answer.
Although his best leg in the final was 13 darts, the 22-year-old's consistency was too much for his English opponent as he secured the biggest win of his career to date.
As a result of his success, Van Veen moves into 24th place in the PDC Order of Merit.
GLORY FOR GIAN IN PC6! 🏆
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 12, 2025
After suffering heartbreak in yesterday's final against Joe Cullen, Gian van Veen wins his first Players Championship title - defeating Luke Humphries 8-3!
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8#PC6 pic.twitter.com/TqJVtHWs0u
Littler falls at second hurdle
After only reaching the quarter-finals on Tuesday, Luke Littler would bow out at the second-round stage on this occasion.
The 18-year-old had edged out Alan Soutar - who hit a nine-dart leg - by a 6-5 scoreline in his opening game before losing by the same margin to Dom Taylor, despite averaging 104.22.
Michael van Gerwen also lost in the last 64, succumbing to a 6-5 defeat at the hands of Ryan Meikle.
Madars Razma was the surprise performer of the day, reaching the semi-finals with wins over the likes of Michael Smith, Gary Anderson and Stephen Bunting before losing 7-1 to Van Veen.
Darren Plant
