PDC darts: Hollywood ending sees Dobey triumph at Players Championship 9

PDC darts: Hollywood ending sees Dobey triumph at Players Championship 9 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Once again, it proved to be the perfect script for Hollywood Chris Dobey, who delivered a magnificent performance to claim his tenth Players Championship title in devastating fashion, defeating Justin Hood, who was appearing in a maiden final.

The Geordie star is a perennial standout on the floor circuit, once again showcasing his exceptional tungsten prowess by stringing together seven dominant displays, the majority of which were accompanied by averages comfortably north of the three-figure mark. The result - for the second time in Wigan this year - saw Dobey standing alone as the last man remaining.

His opening encounter proved to be his closest test until the final, with Dutchman Dennie Olde Kalter managing to claim four legs before ultimately succumbing. Dobey then dispatched Rhys Griffin, Jim Long, and Luke Woodhouse with consummate ease, before emphatically dismantling Andrew Gilding in the semi-finals.

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While Goldfinger would undoubtedly have relished the prospect of securing a maiden Players Championship title to accompany his UK Open triumph, his impressive run nevertheless propelled the 55-year-old into the World Matchplay qualification places, ending the day occupying the final coveted spot for Blackpool.

Prior to arriving in Wigan, Justin Hood’s Players Championship résumé featured just a solitary quarter-final appearance in Hildesheim as his most notable achievement. Now, over five years on from his maiden outing - an opening-round exit in Niedernhausen back in September 2020 - this afternoon’s exploits in Lancashire represent a career-best performance.

If the recent news regarding the enforced change of his Happy Feet moniker had any destabilising effect on the Somerset thrower, it certainly did not manifest itself. That said, with what appears to be a permanently affixed smile on the 32-year-old’s face, it was always unlikely to cause any discernible disruption.

After overcoming Ryan Meikle, Rob Owen, and Niall Culleton - the latter including a ton-plus display against the Irish debutant - Hood then defeated Mensur Suljović to reach the quarter-finals and equal his deepest run. He subsequently obliterated another newcomer in Tom Sykes with a ruthless whitewash, registering a colossal average just shy of 105.

The semi-final presented arguably the shortest contest of the day in terms of combined stature, as he faced compatriot Connor Scutt. The Sniper, boasting two runner-up finishes alongside a pair of Challenge Tour titles, was eventually shot down as Hood produced another assured display to reach his first Players Championship final, where a vastly experienced opponent awaited.

And so, the showpiece finale featured two English arrow-smiths - one pursuing a maiden floor title, the other seeking to secure his second of the season and a landmark tenth overall.

First blood went the way of the Glastonbury man, with Hood demonstrating clinical precision on the outer ring to establish a 2-0 lead. Dobey responded immediately, levelling the contest before surging ahead to claim a 4-2 advantage.

The tungsten artist formerly known as Happy Feet threatened to arrest the momentum but was denied the opportunity to tidy up 52 as Dobey unleashed a monstrous 164 checkout, punctuated by a pinpoint bullseye finish. Hood responded in kind, once again finding the circular red bit to reduce the deficit to 5-3.

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However, holding throw proved to be something of an Achilles’ heel for the Somerset thrower. When Hollywood broke once more and consolidated, he moved to the brink of victory. There was still time for another clinical finish - again culminating on the bull - but with darts in hand, Dobey ensured there would be no late drama, sealing the contest and moving his Players Championship title tally into double figures.

A superb day’s work for the Newcastle ace, who claimed the honours with a 105.28 average, ended with a ton-plus standard throughout the afternoon, and surrendered just sixteen legs en route to yet another addition to his ever-expanding résumé.

PDC PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP – EVENT NINE

Wigan, UK (Mon 13th April)

Quarter-Finals

Connor Scutt 6-4 Tom Bissell

Justin Hood 6-0 Tom Sykes

Andrew Gilding 6-3 Beau Greaves

Chris Dobey 6-3 Richard Veenstra

Semi-Finals

Justin Hood 7-3 Connor Scott

Chris Dobey 7-1 Andrew Gilding

Final

Chris Dobey 8-4 Justin Hood

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