Andrew Gilding has finally secured his first Pro Tour title, winning Players Championship 16 after years of near misses. The Englishman, known for his calm demeanour and unflappable composure, expressed visible relief and emotion after the victory. “Oh man, I’ve been waiting for this for a long while,” Gilding said, noting that despite winning a major, he had never won a ProTour event before.
Gilding’s journey to this milestone included a memorable final loss to Gary Anderson back in 2014, where Anderson averaged 112 and Gilding 107. Reflecting on that match, Gilding said, “I remember playing Gary Anderson many years ago in a final. He had a 112 average and I had 107 or something like that.” During the tournament, Gilding impressed with consistent scoring and finishing, though he ironically couldn’t recall specifics of his tie against Jermaine Wattimena, saying, “I don’t know. I don’t really remember what I play.”
The victory marks another high point in Gilding’s career, following his UK Open win a few years ago. Since then, he has become a regular fixture in the PDC, known for his smooth throw, slow pace, and unshakable demeanor. Gilding says little has changed in his preparation: “I don’t know what’s changed really. I’ve managed to keep my practice up. I’ve put on a bit of weight.” He joked about his physical condition, adding, “I thought the weight loss helped me win the UK Open, but I’ve put on nearly two stone since then.”
Gilding attributes his success to patience and consistency. “I don’t know really. I’ve just been doing the same thing. Your form dips, your form rises — you’ve just got to be patient.” With the win, he has qualified for everything he needs. “Well, I’ve had such a good start to the season. I’m more or less qualified for everything now. I’ve just got to keep that up, make sure I don’t drop out of the rankings, and I’ll get into the Matchplay again and the European Finals and stuff like that.”
Gilding’s modesty and grounded personality have made him a fan favorite. After the victory, he received praise from fans and analysts, who felt he deserved the win. Known as a friendly, hardworking professional, Gilding remains respectful regardless of the outcome, and this long-awaited Pro Tour title is a testament to his perseverance.
