Rob Cross Wins First Title of 2026 at Players Championship 22 in Wigan

Rob Cross secured his first title of the 2026 darts season by defeating Maik Kuivenhoven 8-5 in the final of Players Championship 22 at the Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan on Wednesday. The victory marked a return to winning ways for the former world champion, who had not claimed a ranking title since the first Players Championship event of 2025. Cross's triumph earned him the £15,000 top prize and virtually guaranteed his place at the upcoming World Matchplay in July.

Cross, 35, produced an impressive tournament average of 98.91 and displayed dominant form throughout the day. He began with consecutive 6-1 wins against Dutch players Chris Landman and Jimmy van Schie, including a 103.43 average against the latter. He then dismissed Connor Scutt 6-2 and David Sharp 6-1 with a 104.73 average before overcoming Alexander Merkx 6-4 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, Cross produced a remarkable performance against Stephen Bunting, hitting three stunning checkouts of 170, 127, and 130 to win 7-3 and reach his first ProTour final of the year.

In the final against Kuivenhoven, the match began with five holds of throw before Cross broke to lead 4-2. Although Kuivenhoven broke back, Cross responded with three straight legs, including a 10-darter, to move within one leg of victory. Cross spurned four match darts in the following leg, allowing Kuivenhoven to reduce the deficit, but he recovered to close out the match 8-5 for his 11th Players Championship crown.

Reflecting on his performance, Cross said, "I always thought I was going to win, and when I'm like that, usually I do win." He added, "I've had my trials and tribulations. I've got a lot going on at the minute. If I can get the best out of my capabilities I believe I can win every day, but sometimes mentally it can hold you back." Cross noted that three months ago he was well out of contention for the World Matchplay but managed to give himself a boost in the rankings. "I know the World Matchplay is around the corner, and I love the World Matchplay. It's all about results, and to win this today is very special for me," he said.

Kuivenhoven, from the Netherlands, reached a career-first Players Championship final after defeating Ryan Searle, Gian van Veen, and Tom Bissell, including a 7-6 win in the semi-finals. Despite falling short in the title match, his run to the final represented a significant breakthrough.

Cross's victory highlights his enduring competitiveness and ability to challenge the top players in the sport. "I've still got a great support behind me, and if I can carry on playing the way I am, I still think I'm dangerous to the top boys in the world," he concluded.