Summary:
Rob Cross won the Players Championship 22 in Wigan, beating Maik Kuivenhoven 8-5 in the final. This first title of 2026 earns him £15,000, gives his ProTour campaign a significant boost and brings him much closer to qualifying for the World Matchplay.
| Key facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Players Championship 22 |
| Venue | Robin Park Leisure Centre, Wigan |
| Final | Rob Cross 8-5 Maik Kuivenhoven |
| Winner’s prize | £15,000 |
| Major prize | World Matchplay qualification |
A title that means a lot to Rob Cross
This victory means more than just another trophy in Rob Cross’s collection. The former world champion hadn’t won a ranked title since the very first Players Championship in 2025, and his first half of the 2026 season had been marked by inconsistency. By winning in Wigan, he has put his name back in the ProTour spotlight and, above all, regained a real advantage in the rankings just a few weeks before the World Matchplay.
The message he has sent out is a strong one, because Cross did not merely scrape through in an open draw. He dominated proceedings throughout the day, finishing with an overall average of 98.91. After the final, he explained that he had always believed he would win, whilst acknowledging the mental and personal difficulties that had at times held back his progress in recent months. Put another way, this title feels as much like a sporting reward as it does a confidence boost.
In terms of the season’s outlook, the impact is immediate. Just a few months ago, his place in the World Matchplay seemed precarious. With this title and the £15,000 prize money that comes with it, Cross has given himself a much more comfortable cushion and reminded everyone that he remains a dangerous player as soon as he regains consistency over a full day’s play.
A fast-paced day in Wigan
Cross’s run was built on a very smooth progression. He first beat Chris Landman 6-1, before following that up with another 6-1 victory over Jimmy van Schie, this time with an average of 103.43. His third-round match against Connor Scutt ended 6-2, then he stymied David Sharp 6-1 in the last 16 with yet another average above 104 – 104.73 to be precise.
The quarter-final against Alexander Merkx was his closest match before the semi-finals, but Cross managed to stay in control to win 6-4. This is significant because it shows that he was also able to win when the match became tighter and the ease of the early rounds had disappeared.
The real turning point against Stephen Bunting
The semi-final against Stephen Bunting was probably the most impressive moment of his day. Cross cruised to a 7-3 victory, producing several top-class runs, including finishes of 170, 127 and 130. Bunting, however, posted an average of over 104, proof that the match was of a high standard, but Cross responded with his third match of the day averaging over 100.
Above all, this semi-final confirmed that this was no fluke victory in a favourable draw. To beat a player in such fine form as Bunting in this manner, Cross had to rediscover his aggressive style on the big finishes and his ability to stifle an opponent who was nevertheless a high-scoring threat.
A more tense final, but a deserved victory
In the final, Maik Kuivenhoven put up a tougher fight than the final margin might suggest. After five legs won on the throw, Cross broke serve to lead 4–2, before the Dutchman fought back. The Englishman then produced his best run of the match with three legs in a row, including a 10-darter, to put himself within touching distance of the title.
It wasn’t all plain sailing right to the end. Cross missed four match darts in the following leg, which gave Kuivenhoven some breathing space. But he didn’t let the match drag on any longer and sealed the victory 8-5, claiming his 11th Players Championship title.
We mustn’t forget the other key takeaway from the final: Kuivenhoven was playing in the first Players Championship final of his career. Even in defeat, the Dutchman leaves having achieved a real milestone. Cross, for his part, leaves with a clear message for the rest of the circuit: if he maintains this level of form, he will once again be a credible contender in all the major events to come.
