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Jun 17, 20261
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Rob Cross Ends 54-Event Title Drought Days After Announcing Separation from Wife
Darts champion Rob Cross ended a 54-event title drought by winning the Players Championship 22 in Wigan, defeating Maik Kuivenhoven 8-5 in the final. The victory came just a week after Cross announced his separation from his wife of 14 years, Georgia, with whom he has four children.
Quick Facts
Who
Rob Cross
What
won Players Championship 22
When
Wednesday
Where
Wigan, England
- won Players Championship 22
- announced separation from wife
- ended 54-event title drought
- Rob Cross
- Georgia Cross
Rob Cross, the 2018 darts world champion, secured his first title in over a year by winning the Players Championship 22 in Wigan on Wednesday. The 35-year-old Englishman, known by his nickname "Voltage," defeated Dutch player Maik Kuivenhoven 8-5 in the final, marking his 11th career win in the series and his first since February 2025.
The victory comes just a week after Cross announced his separation from his wife, Georgia, in a social media statement. The couple, who married in 2011 and have four children together, had been together since 2008. Cross acknowledged the difficult period in his personal life but expressed gratitude for his family's continued support.
"I have had my trials and tribulations. I have a lot going on at the minute," Cross said after the match. "Even through that I played some decent stuff. Georgia and the kids we all still get on. I still get to have my family time which I am grateful. She is a great woman and a top mother."
The win ends a drought of 54 ProTour events without a title for Cross, who enjoyed seven victories on the day in Wigan. He will receive £15,000 in prize money for his efforts. Cross was at risk of missing qualification for the World Matchplay three months ago but managed to turn his form around.
Georgia Cross had previously described their early relationship, recalling how they met at the pet shop where she worked. "We just clicked and it was obvious very quickly how sweet and caring he was," she said in past comments. "The first time we met up he bought us a bag of chips to share and we just talked for a couple of hours and ate them."
Topics
Why This Matters
This win is significant for Rob Cross's career trajectory, proving his resilience amid personal turmoil. For darts fans, it signals a resurgence of a former world champion who had been struggling, potentially impacting future tournament seedings and viewer interest. For those following athlete mental health, it offers a real-world example of how personal challenges can coexist with professional success.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2008
WireRob Cross and Georgia began their relationship
Jan 1, 2011
WireRob Cross and Georgia married
Jun 10, 2026
WireRob Cross announced separation from his wife, Georgia
Jun 17, 2026
WireRob Cross won Players Championship 22, ending a 54-event title drought