Dirk van Duijvenbode wins Players Championship 4
Van Duijvenbode came through three shoot-outs in the final leg to claim his fourth PDC crown in a thrilling day of action. He won eight of the last nine legs to deny Searle his second title in as many weeks.
The Dutchman also landed 35 maximums to equal the record for most 180 hits in a Players Championship event – a record set by Dave Chisnall 12 months ago.
Searle drew first blood on a bumpy start to Sunday’s showpiece, but Van Duijvenbode soon asserted control, winning the next two legs on 12 and 10 darts to seize the initiative.
Searle responded with a 124 checkout on the bull to restore par at two apiece, only for Van Duijvenbode, who unwound six straight legs to triumph with a 100 average.
“I think I was at the top level of my focus,” admitted Van Duijvenbode, who won two Players Championship titles in 2022.
“I love playing Ryan because he plays at a comfortable pace. He’s very good, so you know you have to perform well, but he doesn’t try tactics. i love the man
“I didn’t love it last week when he beat me 5-3 and won the event! I’m glad I won it today.
“This is my fourth ProTour title so hopefully I can win a European Tour title or a televised title this year, but every win is special.
“I want to improve every year. Ultimately, my big goal is to become world champion. I’m still a long way from that in my opinion, but I just try to improve every year and take a critical look at my game.”
Van Duijvenbode started his campaign with a 6-4 win over Mervyn King and recovered from a 4-2 deficit to avoid a second straight elimination in the opening round this weekend.
The 30-year-old fired in a 12-darter to win a decider leg tie against compatriot Geert Nentjes in round two before coming off another tough draw in his board final against Callan Rydz.
Van Duijvenbode showed his performance of the day in his last 16 showdown against Jonny Clayton, defying a 104 average from the Welshman to triumph with a 108 average.
After defeating Stephen Bunting in another 11-leg fight, Van Duijvenbode survived three match darts to stun Joe Cullen in a breathless semifinal and land nine 180s to win in a classic.
Searle – a winner of Players Championship One last Saturday – continued their bright start to 2023; averaging over four tonnes to win the £8,000 second place prize.
The Somerset star gave up just six legs in his first three games after averaging 103 wins against Graham Hall and James Wade respectively after beating Connor Scutt 6-3.
Searle maintained that relentless standard to accommodate Dutch duo Jeffrey Sparidaans and Maik Kuivenhoven before defying a late rally by Dave Chisnall in an upside-down semifinal.
Chisnall was penalized for a lackluster start to his last four meetings, but the St Helens star took the scalp from Josh Rock and averaged over 100 in three games en route to the semi-finals.
Former Masters champion Cullen also impressed when he reached the same stage, averaging 105 and 108 wins over Raymond van Barneveld and Jim Williams in Sunday’s final stages.
Williams and Bunting continued their good starts in 2023 before falling in the quarterfinals where they were helped by surprise packages Kuivenhoven and Kciuk.
Clayton and Van den Bergh were among the high-profile names to feature in the last 16, alongside Simon Whitlock, runner-up in Players Championship Two, and Van Barneveld, who recorded wins over Danny Noppert and Adrian Lewis.
2023 Players Championship 4 results
Sunday February 19th
last 16
- Maik Kuivenhoven 6-2 Keane Barry
- Ryan Searle 6-3 Jeffrey Sparidaans
- Krzysztof Kciuk 6-4 Martin Schindler
- Dave Chisnall 6-4 Josh Rock
- Jim Williams 6-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh
- Joe Cullen 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld
- Stephen Bunting 6-5 Simon Whitlock
- Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Jonny Clayton
quarter finals
- Ryan Searle 6-5 Maik Kuivenhoven
- Dave Chisnall 6-0 Krzysztof Kciuk
- Joe Cullen 6-3 Jim Williams
- Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 Stephen Bunting
semifinals
- Ryan Searle 7-4 Dave Chisnall
- Dirk van Duijvenbode 7-6 Joe Cullen
final
- Dirk van Duijvenbode 8-2 Ryan Searle