Players Championship 28: Wesley Plaisier beats Josh Rock to win maiden PDC title

Dutchman Wesley Plaisier beat Josh Rock 8-7 in a thrilling final at Players Championship 28 in Wigan to win his first PDC title.

Rock led 4-3 after a 111 checkout before Plaisier put the finishing line in sight by winning four of the following six legs to lead 7-6.

A 112 checkout from Rock forced a decider but the Englishman wasted six match darts as Plaisier wrapped up the win with double tops.

The 34-year-old is just the fourth player to win a PDC ranking title without holding a PDC Tour card.

“It’s unbelievable,” Plaisier said.

“Every game is tough, but the final was a really hard game. I was hoping and praying I would get another chance.

“I’ve been playing well all year and this is the crown to top it off.”

Plaisier finished runner-up at two Players Championship events in July, losing to Ross Smith and Jonny Clayton in the respective finals.

He won seven matches in total, beating Matt Campbell, Ritchie Edhouse, Florian Hempel, Krzysztof Ratajski, Jose de Sousa and Danny Noppert, before wrapping up his remarkable run with victory against Rock.