The double-header in Den Bosch has produced its result, and it has tightened the race for places at Minehead even further. Chris Dobey claimed the Players Championship 32 by beating Tommy Morris 8-4 in the final, his third Players Championship title this season, a victory that sees him move back ahead of Kevin Doets to second place in the ProTour Order of Merit.
With two tournaments remaining in the regular season, the stakes are no longer just about winning titles: it’s about finishing in the top 64 to secure a place at the Players Championship Finals, to be held in Minehead at the end of November. And in this ranking, a few big names are still in danger.
Nijman untouchable, Dobey takes the lead
Having amassed £154,500 over the season, Wessel Nijman holds a lead that no one can now close in just two tournaments. The Dutchman has dominated the regular season and secures his place at Minehead from a position of strength.
Behind him, the rankings shift with every event. Dobey’s victory in Den Bosch has propelled him to £118,750, just over £5,000 ahead of Kevin Doets (£113,250). Luke Woodhouse (£88,000) and Andrew Gilding (£80,750) round off the top five, with Jermaine Wattimena just behind on £80,500 and Beau Greaves seventh on £70,000, a remarkable season for the English player.
Tommy Morris, the revelation from the Challenge Tour
The feel-good story of the Dutch weekend is Tommy Morris. Having come through the Challenge Tour, he went from strength to strength at Den Bosch to reach the final, where he was no match for Dobey’s consistency. His second-place finish earns him enough prize money to climb to 45th place with £39,250.
In practical terms, his qualification for Minehead is now virtually assured. For a player of his calibre, a single day like this can turn an entire season around, and even more besides: it provides experience on the big stage, boosts confidence and elevates his standing with tournament organisers.
Anderson climbs out of the danger zone, whilst Aspinall and Wright remain lagging behind
The weekend’s biggest setback was for Gary Anderson. The Scot has slipped from 64th to 68th place, just outside the qualifying zone, with only two tournaments remaining. Nathan Aspinall, Josh Rock, Peter Wright, Ryan Joyce and Raymond van Barneveld are also outside the provisional qualifying places.
Gerwyn Price, in 58th place with £34,000, is not yet completely out of the woods. Conversely, Scott Williams and Michael Smith’s solid performances in Den Bosch have significantly improved their chances of making it to Minehead.
Luke Littler’s situation remains the most talked-about. Having missed both Dutch tournaments, he must now earn over £20,000 across the final two events to stand any chance of qualifying, a scenario that makes his presence at Minehead highly uncertain.
Two final chances in Leicester
The Players Championship regular season will conclude on 4 and 5 November in Leicester, with events 33 and 34. This double-header will be crucial: for players ranked between 55th and 70th, every match won could turn a season around, and every first-round defeat could cost them a place.
The format leaves nothing to chance. ProTour tournaments are played in a short format, which increases the importance of the draw and the early rounds. A player ranked 66th could find themselves in Minehead with two modest rounds, whilst a player firmly in the top 60 could plummet down the rankings with two straight defeats.
What to watch out for in Leicester
Three storylines are worth watching this final weekend. Firstly, the battle for the top 8, which offers a seeded spot and a theoretically easier draw at Minehead. Next, the battle for 64th place, where Anderson, Price and several regulars on the circuit are separated by just a few thousand pounds. Finally, the question of form: some players will arrive in Leicester with plenty of matches under their belts, others after several weeks without competition, and the difference could prove decisive in such a packed schedule.
So, see you on 4 and 5 November: after these two days, the list of the 64 players qualifying for Minehead will be known, and some of the circuit’s big names may well be watching the Players Championship Finals from home.
Source: PDC / Darts World, 29 October 2026.
