The darts world is abuzz with anticipation as the 2025 Players Championship series charges toward its thrilling conclusion, with only the top 64 players on the Order of Merit securing a coveted spot in the Players Championship Finals in Minehead this November. The latest tournament, Players Championship 24, held in Milton Keynes, delivered high-octane action and reshuffled the rankings, leaving some of the sport’s biggest names in precarious positions. Among them, Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch darting legend, finds himself in unfamiliar territory, while young sensation Luke Littler continues to make waves.
Jeffrey de Graaf stole the spotlight in Milton Keynes, clinching his maiden PDC ranking title in a dramatic final against Stephen Bunting. The Swede battled back from a 4-1 deficit to win 8-7, etching his name in history as the first Swedish player to claim a Players Championship title. “It means a lot, it’s my first title ever in the PDC, so it’s great, it’s fantastic,” de Graaf said, his voice brimming with pride. “I’m happy to be the first [Swedish player to win a Players Championship title], but hopefully not the last.” His victory not only marked a personal triumph but also propelled him to 29th in the Order of Merit with £33,500 in prize money, solidifying his position among the Minehead contenders.
Meanwhile, Michael van Gerwen, affectionately known as ‘Mighty Mike,’ continues to struggle in the Players Championship race. The 36-year-old, a three-time world champion, reached the last 16 in Milton Keynes but fell 6-3 to Scott Williams, who earlier in the tournament threw a stunning nine-darter. This result nudged Van Gerwen’s prize money to £9,500, placing him 103rd in the Order of Merit—a shocking position for a player of his caliber. With only 10 tournaments remaining in the 34-event series, Van Gerwen faces a daunting challenge to climb into the top 64. His limited participation this season, coupled with early exits in six of his nine appearances, has left him on the brink of missing one of the PDC’s marquee events. Yet, with his recent commitment to a fuller schedule, including upcoming events in Milton Keynes and Antwerp, there’s still hope for a late surge.
Luke Littler, the 17-year-old prodigy, is trending in the opposite direction. Returning to the ProTour after a five-month hiatus, Littler reached the fourth round in Milton Keynes, falling 6-4 to Rob Cross after surviving a nail-biting final-leg decider against Beau Greaves. His performance boosted his prize money to £21,000, lifting him to 51st in the rankings—a significant step toward securing a Minehead spot. Littler’s clash with Greaves was a highlight, with the 21-year-old women’s darts star averaging an impressive 102 to Littler’s 96. Greaves also made headlines by defeating five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 in an earlier round, showcasing her growing prowess on the ProTour.
The Order of Merit is led by Gerwyn Price, who, despite missing Players Championship 24 due to a freak injury, holds a commanding £72,000. Damon Heta (£71,000) and Gian van Veen (£70,000) trail closely, with Ross Smith (£66,500) and Jermaine Wattimena (£61,000) rounding out the top five. Stephen Bunting, the losing finalist, climbed to ninth with £53,500, while other big names like Luke Humphries (61st, £19,000) and Nathan Aspinall (75th, £15,500) are also at risk of missing Minehead. Aspinall’s late withdrawal from Milton Keynes and Humphries’ absence from the event underscore the competitive nature of the series, where even top players must stay sharp to qualify.
The Players Championship series has been a rollercoaster this year, with new winners emerging frequently, reflecting the depth of talent on the ProTour. De Graaf’s triumph follows victories by players like Bradley Brooks, Cameron Menzies, and Jermaine Wattimena, highlighting the unpredictability of the floor tournaments. With the 25th event underway in Milton Keynes and a busy autumn schedule looming, including events in Hildesheim, Leicester, and Wigan, the race for Minehead is heating up. For Van Gerwen, Littler, and others, the coming weeks will be a test of skill, resilience, and strategy as they vie for a spot in one of darts’ most prestigious showdowns.
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