Damon Heta secured his second PDC ranking title of the year with a comprehensive 8-3 victory over Ryan Searle in Wednesday’s Players Championship 18 final in Milton Keynes.
Heta – a runner-up at last weekend’s New Zealand Darts Masters – made a winning return at the Marshall Arena, joining Luke Littler in becoming the second player to win multiple Players Championship titles in 2024.
The 37-year-old sealed the deal with a stunning display against Searle in Wednesday’s showpiece, averaging 106.80 to add to his Players Championship Four triumph back in February.
The Australian number one established an early lead with legs of 16, 11 and 13 darts, only for Searle to reply with a three-leg burst of his own to level proceedings at three apiece.
However, Heta regained control with legs of 14 and 13 darts, before following up a sublime 140 combination with an 11-dart break on his way to pocketing the £15,000 top prize.
“I’m really stoked about today,” insisted Heta, who now moves into double figures in terms of PDC titles.
“I look at my world ranking and my ProTour ranking, and I don’t want to slip. I don’t want to put pressure on myself in other tournaments.
“I’m going to play in everything while I’m here, because I’m not here forever and I’m trying to make a massive impact.
“You take what you can get in this environment, and so many players are producing some incredible darts at the moment.
“I’m really pleased with the way I played today. This is a massive bonus for me, and I’m going to keep working hard and keep plugging away.”
2024 Players Championship 18 results
Last 16
- Jim Williams 6-3 Dave Chisnall
- Cameron Menzies 6-5 James Wade
- Danny Noppert 6-4 Chris Landman
- Damon Heta 6-1 Callum Goffin
- Ross Smith 6-5 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Ryan Searle 6-2 Danny Lauby
- Steve Beaton 6-2 Stephen Burton
- Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Scott Williams
Quarter-finals
- Cameron Menzies 6-0 Jim Williams
- Damon Heta 6-1 Danny Noppert
- Ryan Searle 6-5 Ross Smith
- Steve Beaton 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Semi-finals
- Damon Heta 7-6 Cameron Menzies
- Ryan Searle 7-4 Steve Beaton
Final
- Damon Heta 8-3 Ryan Searle