Wessel Nijman has become the eighth player in PDC history to win six or more ProTour titles in a single season, after thrashing Max Hopp in the final of Players Championship 14. The Dutchman, who is not even a week into May, has now confirmed a sixth PDC ProTour title in 2026, adding his name to a select group of darters that includes Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock, Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, and Gerwyn Price.
In the 12 Players Championship events Nijman has competed in this year, he has reached the final in six of them, winning five. His other title came in the European Darts Trophy after taking down an in-form Gerwyn Price 8-3 in a brilliant final display for his first ever Euro Tour title. His triumph in Hildesheim marks an eighth Players Championship win and a ninth PDC title overall.
Nijman's path to the final saw him defeat Daniel Klose (6–2), Jurjen van der Velde (6–1), and Niall Culleton (6–3) before averaging over 102 to take down Joe Cullen (6-4) in the last-16. He upped his average to nearly 103 against a lacklustre Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarterfinals (6-1), then demolished fellow Dutchman Danny Noppert 7-2 to reach the final. In the final, he offered Hopp no chance, dropping just one leg to taste more glory.
Despite it not even being halfway through the season, Nijman's six titles have him in esteemed company. Michael van Gerwen tops the all-time list with 14 ProTour titles in both 2016 and 2018. Phil Taylor won 13 in 2008 and 12 in 2009, while Raymond van Barneveld managed seven in 2007 and Gary Anderson also reached seven in 2011. On six titles, tied with Nijman, are Simon Whitlock (2010) and Gerwyn Price (2023).
