Jeffrey de Graaf etched his name into the record books on Monday, claiming his maiden PDC ranking title with an 8-7 victory over Stephen Bunting in a gripping Players Championship 24 final in Milton Keynes.
The Dutch-born Swede, who finished runner-up in Event Eight earlier this year, went one step further this time to become the first Swedish player to win a PDC ranking title. After falling 4-1 behind in the final, De Graaf reeled off four straight legs to edge ahead and held his nerve in a last-leg decider to seal a landmark victory.
“It means a lot, it’s my first title ever in the PDC so it’s a great, it’s fantastic,” said De Graaf.
“In the beginning, I missed a few doubles, but I got it over the line. I’m still shaking!
“I’m happy to be the first [Swedish player to win a Players Championship title], but hopefully not the last.
“For me, this is massive […] it takes the pressure off me too, so it is great.”
De Graaf’s road to glory was anything but straightforward. He survived a deciding-leg opener against Adam Paxton, edged Jose de Sousa in another last-leg thriller, and then produced a statement 6-2 win over former World Champion Michael Smith. Convincing victories over Alan Soutar and Scott Williams booked his place in just his third Players Championship final.
In the decider, De Graaf delivered when it mattered most, averaging 102 to overcome Bunting’s 106 average. Despite defeat, Bunting impressed throughout the day, averaging over 99 in all seven matches as he reached his third final in five events.
Elsewhere, Luke Littler marked his ProTour return with a win over Beau Greaves, while Scott Williams fired a nine-darter and Michael van Gerwen exited despite a 107.97 average.
Source: PDC.TV
