Tuesday 22 September 2026 19:52, UK Image: Cameron Menzies became unwell during his second-round World Matchplay clash against Ross Smith Menzies saw off Gian van Veen 8-4 in the Players Championship 29 final to claim his second ProTour title of 2026 on Tuesday. Menzies continued his sparkling Players Championship form to claim a fourth PDC ranking title at Maassport Den Bosch, after an impressive string of seven straight wins. Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, results 📅Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app 📱Not got Sky?
Get instant access with NOW 📺 Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Cameron Menzies withdrew from the World Matchplay of Darts after becoming unwell during his second-round match against Ross Smith After capturing his second title of the year, the Scot, reflected on his medical episode in Blackpool when he was forced to withdraw from the tournament after being taken ill during his second-round match against Ross Smith.”Even before [the incident] happened, as you can see I’ve lost a bit of weight. Last year I was heading to Switzerland and I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack on the plane,” explained Menzies. “I went for scans because heart problems is something that runs in my family. “They told me I needed to lose weight, but the thing with the Ross Smith match is that I went for tests after and they believe it was dehydration but it caused my blood pressure to go high because I was panicking.
I’ve never had that before.” Menzies: We’re not all athletes here! Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of the first-round clash between Luke Humphries and Menzies at the World Matchplay The 37-year-old World Cup semi-finalist continued: “I went for bloods for more serious issues like my heart. I went to Glasgow Jubilee hospital and I did 10 hours in there but it came back fine other than my blood pressure being a bit high, but I explained what happened in Blackpool and they believe it was dehydration. I hope it is because that’s me having to look after myself a bit more.”I’ll go and have water and electrolytes after this but we’re not all athletes here, I get that!
It’s long days. I’ve been here since 9.30 this morning. These are long days so you have to look after yourself. I’m getting older now so I need to look after myself.”My breakfast today was porridge, so I’ve not eaten all day.
I would usually go and get pizza but I need to try and be better.”A lot of players go jogging or walking now. Darts is probably better than it’s ever been because all these young kids are coming through and they’re all fit athletes. Not the way we grew up in clubs and pubs. These guys are in youth systems.
They’re catching up.”Menzies averaged north of 101 in his opening match triumph over Nick Kenny, before denying Canada’s Jim Long an impressive comeback in a last-leg decider.After dispatching Slovenian Benjamin Pratnemer 6-4, he then downed No 1 seed Wessel Nijman by the same scoreline. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of Scotland’s 8-5 win over Republic of Ireland in the quarter-finals from the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt Menzies put out Jeffrey de Graaf 6-3 with another stellar average to reach the last four, where he bagged another victory over a Dutch star in the form of Kevin Doets to reach a third Players Championship final in his last five events.He stormed into a 5-0 lead, denying Van Veen a dart at double in a fantastic opening burst, before the Dutchman reeled off three consecutive legs of his own.Nevertheless, the Scot held his nerve, winning three of the next four legs to complete victory and secure the £15,000 top prize in the Netherlands.”I’m grateful to be in this position and it’s not like I take it for granted or anything but I would like to finish the year on a high. I’m in the Worlds and maybe the Grand Slam so I’m in a very fortunate position,” said Menzies.The PDC ProTour season continues with Players Championship 30 on Wednesday, as the race to qualify for the 2026 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals intensifies.2026 Players Championship 29Tuesday September 22Maassport Den Bosch, Den BoschLast 16Cameron Menzies 6-4 Wessel NijmanJeffrey de Graaf 6-4 Danny NoppertKevin Doets 6-5 Cristo ReyesJermaine Wattimena 6-3 Callan RydzOskar Lukasiak 6-4 Dave ChisnallWilliam O’Connor 6-4 Cor DekkerChris Dobey 6-3 Josh RockGian van Veen 6-5 Nathan ApsinallQuarter-Finals Cameron Menzies 6-3 Jeffrey de GraafKevin Doets 6-2 Jermaine WattimenaWilliam O’Connor 6-3 Oskar LukasiakGian van Veen 6-5 Chris DobeySemi-FinalsCameron Menzies 7-5 Kevin DoetsGian van Veen 7-5 William O’ConnorFinalCameron Menzies 8-4 Gian van VeenNine-DartersCristo Reyes hit a nine-darter in his round one win against Ian WhiteMax Hopp also struck the perfect leg in his round two win over Tom BissellSky Sports remains the home of darts with the World Grand Prix (September 28-October 4), Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.
