The world number four dazzles in Leicester to claim his first Players Championship title since 2021
A long-awaited return to the winner’s circle
Stephen Bunting delivered a stunning performance in Leicester to clinch the 18th Players Championship title of the 2025 season, ending a nearly four-year drought in the tournament series. The world number four powered past Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena in the final with a commanding 8-5 victory, sealing his return to form with six 180s and an impressive 104.84 match average.
Wattimena drew first blood by breaking Bunting in the opening leg, but the early advantage was short-lived. Bunting hit back with a ruthless streak of six consecutive legs, including jaw-dropping checkouts of 164 and 156, to take a commanding lead. Though Wattimena managed to narrow the gap to 7-5, Bunting showed no signs of letting the match slip. A final 94 checkout completed an 11-darter, putting an exclamation point on his first Players Championship triumph since 2021.
For the 38-year-old Liverpudlian, this victory is not only a personal redemption story but also a clear signal to his rivals ahead of the tournament’s remaining fixtures this year. “It’s been a while since I’ve lifted a title like this,” Bunting said post-match. “But I’ve kept working, kept believing, and today it all came together.”
Grit and brilliance through the knockout stages
Bunting’s path to the final showcased not just talent but tenacity. His tournament began to heat up in the last 16, where he averaged 106.43 in a 6-4 win over Alan Soutar. But it was in the later rounds where the drama truly unfolded.
In the quarter-finals, Bunting faced a stern test from Czech Republic’s Karel Sedlacek. The match went the distance, but Bunting’s consistency under pressure and another average over 100 saw him edge a 6-5 win. The semi-final against fellow Englishman and former World Championship semi-finalist Dave Chisnall was another tight affair. In a high-quality contest full of big scoring and pressure checkouts, Bunting again held his nerve to scrape through 7-6.
While Bunting’s scoring power and high averages drew attention, it was his composure in tight moments that ultimately secured his place in the final—and the title.
Wattimena’s run of shootout success ends in the final
Jermaine Wattimena may have fallen short in the final, but the Dutchman’s run to the last two was nothing short of remarkable. His route included four consecutive matches decided by a single leg, showcasing his own nerves of steel. Wins over Josh Rock, Ryan Searle, Mike de Decker, and Niels Zonneveld all came down to one-leg shootouts, with Wattimena showing admirable poise to navigate through each.
Although he couldn’t find a way past the in-form Bunting, Wattimena’s performance in Leicester will bolster his confidence for the rest of the Players Championship series and potentially push him closer to a major breakthrough.
Looking ahead in a packed darts calendar
The 18th event in the 2025 Players Championship series followed Tuesday’s 17th tournament, which saw Chris Dobey emerge victorious. The trio of events in Leicester will wrap up with the 20th Players Championship on Thursday, providing another opportunity for players to stake their claim ahead of the competition’s final stretch.
The broader series features 34 Players Championship events throughout the year, acting as a crucial proving ground for form, rankings, and selection into other prestigious events. The season culminates with the Players Championship Finals in Minehead this November, where the top performers of the season will compete for one of the sport’s most coveted titles.
Bunting’s resurgence in Leicester is a timely reminder of his enduring quality and determination to remain among darts’ elite. For fans and players alike, it’s a sign that this year’s road to Minehead is only just beginning to heat up.
