Former world champion Rob Cross secured his first Professional Darts Corporation Pro Tour title in 18 months by winning the Players Championship 22 on Wednesday at Robin Park in Wigan.
Cross defeated Dutch competitor Maik Kuivenhoven 8-5 in the final match, practically confirming his qualification for the upcoming World Matchplay tournament at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.
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Dominant Run to the Title
The Kent-born player maintained a high level of performance throughout the event, registering multiple averages above 100 and achieving a 10-dart leg during the final match.
Before reaching the final, Cross advanced by defeating Dutch players Danny Landman and Jimmy van Schie while losing only five legs.
He then eliminated fellow Englishman Connor Scutt and Scotland's David Sharp, followed by another victory over Alexander Merx of the Netherlands and a semi-final win against Stephen Bunting.
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Kuivenhoven, who reached his first-ever Players Championship final, matched Cross at 4-4 before the English player won four of the final five legs to seal the championship.
The tournament also featured notable performances from Tom Bissell, who reached his fourth semi-final of the year, and Tommy Morris, a Dorset thrower without a Tour Card who achieved his best run by reaching the quarter-finals.
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The PDC Pro Tour schedule continues with a European Tour event in Slovakia and a final double-header in Leicester ahead of the cut-off deadline for the World Matchplay tournament in July.
