Bunting Ends PC Final Hoodoo to Seal PC18 Glory in Leicester
- Darts Central
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Following Chris Dobey’s triumph at Players Championship 17 in a dramatic finale, attention turned to Wednesday’s action in Leicester for the second part of this week’s triple header at the Mattioli Arena.
This time, it was another 2025 Premier League star who took centre stage, ‘The Bullet’, Stephen Bunting. The in-form Liverpudlian was outstanding throughout the day, averaging 102 across his seven matches and hitting six ton-plus averages on his way to victory.
This marked Bunting’s fifth career Pro Tour title, his fourth PDC title of the season, and his eighth overall, doubling his tally of PDC titles in just six months after winning four across a full decade from 2014 to 2024.
Round 1: Noppert Hits Personal Best as Monster Averages Flood Leicester
Danny Noppert produced the standout performance of the opening round, posting a personal PDC-best average of 110.68 in his 360th PDC event, dismantling fellow Dutchman Jelle Klaasen 6-1.
It was one of several huge displays in a high-quality first round. Ross Smith (111.88), Ryan Searle (108.65), and Jermaine Wattimena (105.30) all fired in ton-plus averages as they cruised into round two with wins over Cor Dekker, Darius Labanauskas, and Darryl Pilgrim, respectively.
There were also notable early exits, with former World Champions Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson both crashing out. Price was beaten by a sharp Mervyn King, while Anderson fell to an inspired Adam Hunt.
Round 2 and 3: World Cup Winners Depart & Smith’s Matchplay Hopes Dented
The barrage of big averages continued into Round 2, with Mike De Decker averaging 106.08 in a 6-3 win over Rhys Griffin, while Martin Schindler edged a tight battle with Mensur Suljović thanks to a 105.61 display.
Karel Sedláček was another standout performer, producing a 102.97 average in a commanding 6-1 victory over Viktor Tingström. Meanwhile, Michael Smith’s World Matchplay qualification hopes took a blow as he was edged out 6-5 by James Hurrell in a last-leg decider.
Round 3 saw the exit of PC17 winner Chris Dobey, who averaged just 85.81 in a below-par display and was beaten by close friend Callan Rydz. There was also disappointment for World Cup champions Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock — Gurney suffered a 6-0 whitewash at the hands of Sedláček, while Rock, despite averaging 102.59, was edged out 6-5 by Jermaine Wattimena.
Elsewhere, Benjamin Reus stunned Gian van Veen 6-4, while Ryan Searle (108.97) and Mike De Decker (102.41) impressed again, brushing aside Dutch duo Martijn Dragt and Danny Noppert with matching 6-1 scorelines.
Last 16: Reus Makes History as De Decker Delivers Whitewash
Top seed Dave Chisnall and Czech No.1 Karel Sedláček cruised through to the quarter-finals, comfortably dispatching Mervyn King and Damon Heta, who both struggled and averaged under 81 in defeat.
Mike De Decker was superb once again, whitewashing PC16 winner Ross Smith 6-0 with a 103.66 average. Elsewhere, Niels Zonneveld came out on top in the battle of the left-handers, thrashing James Wade 6-1 to book his fourth Players Championship quarter-final of the year.
Youngster Cam Crabtree also impressed, reaching his first Pro Tour quarter-final of the season with a composed 98.22 average in a 6-3 win over Callan Rydz. Jermaine Wattimena survived a late fightback from Ryan Searle, holding his nerve with a brilliant 13-dart leg to edge it 6-5 after seeing a 5-2 lead disappear.
Elsewhere, Stephen Bunting delivered the standout display of the round, averaging 106.43 in a 6-4 victory over a determined Alan Soutar.
But the story of the round belonged to Benjamin Reus, who, after 12 first-round exits in Players Championship events this year, made history by reaching his first-ever PDC Pro Tour quarter-final with a 6-4 win over World No.5 Jonny Clayton.
Quarter-Finals: Top Seed Progresses as Three Deciders Unfold
Top seed Dave Chisnall edged past Cam Crabtree 6-4 in a close contest, taking advantage of missed chances from the youngster to secure his semi-final spot.
The other three quarter-finals all went to last-leg deciders in a thrilling spell of action. Stephen Bunting showed steel under pressure, producing a 15-dart break in the deciding leg to get over the line without facing a match dart from Sedlacek.
Jermaine Wattimena survived three match darts to overcome Mike De Decker, who averaged 103.42 in defeat, the highest average of the round.
Meanwhile, Niels Zonneveld held his nerve to deny Benjamin Reus, who posted his highest average of the day (95.44) but couldn’t quite extend his fairytale run beyond the final eight.
Semi-Finals: Bunting & Wattimena Edge Through in Deciders
Stephen Bunting edged a dramatic clash with Dave Chisnall in a deciding leg. After Bunting raced into a 2–0 lead, Chisnall hit straight back, and from there the pair traded holds all the way to 6–6. Chisnall missed chances to break in two key legs and looked poised to pounce in the decider after leaving 83 in nine darts, thanks to back-to-back 180s. But Bunting, throwing first, fired in three 140s and sealed the deal with a brilliant 81 checkout on double 6, last dart in hand.
In the all-Dutch semi, Jermaine Wattimena surged 5–2 ahead against Niels Zonneveld, only to squander 13 darts at double in the following three legs and allow Zonneveld to level at 5–5. Wattimena steadied himself with a 15-dart hold to go 6–5 up, but missed a match dart in leg 12, allowing Zonneveld to force a decider. With Zonneveld sitting on 40 after 15, Wattimena held his nerve, clinically taking out 48 in two darts to seal his spot in the final.
Road to the Final: Bunting Blazes, Wattimena Survives
Stephen Bunting impressed throughout the day, producing five ton-plus averages en route to the final and maintaining his strong form. Jermaine Wattimena faced a more turbulent route, surviving match darts and winning four consecutive last-leg deciders to reach his first Players Championship final since 2020. Here’s how they got there:
Round | Stephen Bunting | Jermaine Wattimena |
Last 128 | 6-2 vs William Borland | 6-4 vs Darryl Pilgrim |
Last 64 | 6-3 vs Ian White | 6-3 vs Carl Sneyd |
Last 32 | 6-3 vs Ritchie Edhouse | 6-5 vs Josh Rock |
Last 16 | 6-4 vs Alan Soutar | 6-5 vs Ryan Searle |
Quarter-Final | 6-5 vs Karel Sedlacek | 6-5 vs Mike De Decker |
Semi-Final | 7-6 vs Dave Chisnall | 7-6 vs Niels Zonneveld |
🏆 The Final: Bunting finally does it!
Stephen Bunting came into the final having lost all six of his previous Players Championship finals last year, with his last title at these events dating back to July 2021. Jermaine Wattimena, meanwhile, was appearing in only his fourth Players Championship final and hadn’t gone beyond the quarter-finals since November 2020.
Wattimena started strong, taking a scrappy opening leg against throw to lead 1-0. But Bunting then fired six consecutive legs, racing to a commanding 6-1 lead. ‘The Bullet’ hit two 12-darters, a 13-darter, and three 15-darters in that stretch. Wattimena struggled for doubles, getting only two attempts during that spell (legs 2 and 6), both missed.
The momentum shifted as Wattimena won four of the next five legs, capitalizing on Bunting’s missed darts at doubles. At 7-5, with the throw in hand, Bunting produced a sensational 11-darter to seal the victory and finally claim a Players Championship title after six straight final defeats last year and nearly four years without winning one.
🏅 Champion: Stephen Bunting
Tournament Average: 102.66
180s: 31
Prize Money: £15,000
Highlight Performance: 6-4 Last 16 vs Alan Soutar (106.43 average)
Talking Points & Highlights
🇳🇱 Noppert Hits PDC PB:
Danny Noppert celebrated his 360th PDC event by hitting a personal best average of 110.68 in a dominant 6-1 win over fellow Dutchman Jelle Klaasen in round one
🔥 Reus Makes History:
Benjamin Reus reached his first-ever PDC Pro Tour quarter-final, taking down notable players including Gian van Veen and World No.5 Jonny Clayton. This breakthrough should boost his confidence for future runs and help him keep hold of his tour card.
🏆 Bunting Claims 8th PDC Title:
Stephen Bunting won his 8th PDC title overall and his 3rd Players Championship title. The current World No.4 had four titles in his 10-year PDC career up till last season but has doubled that tally this year, showcasing a remarkable upturn in form. His day featured six ton-plus averages across seven matches, culminating in the deserved PC18 crown.
🎙️ Post-Final Interview: Stephen Bunting’s Reaction to PDC.tv:
Stephen Bunting was all smiles after finally ending his run of Players Championship final defeats, reflecting on a superb couple of days so far at the Mattioli Arena.
“I think I’ve only had two averages under 100 over the last two days, so I’m really pleased,” said Bunting, who had lost all six of the Players Championship finals he reached in 2024.
“When you lose in finals, you’ve got to learn from it. I’ve had some tough games today, so that resilience is something I can be really proud of.
“I really enjoyed the Premier League this year. I’ve won on the European Tour and I’ve played well on the World Series circuit, so I came into this week with massive confidence, especially after winning in Copenhagen.
“I’m so happy that my consistency is there. I’m playing with a smile on my face, and when I’ve got a smile on my face, I’m dangerous!”
📅 What’s Next?
Players Championship 19
June 19th at Mattioli Arena, Leicester (Live on PDC.tv)
US Darts Masters
June 27th-28th at The Theater, Madison Square Garden, New York (Live on PDC.tv)
🔗 Follow Darts Central:
Commentaires