Jonny Clayton has added another PDC title to his collection with victory at Players Championship 14, defeating newcomer Dominik Gruellich in the final.
The Welshman is looking to top a hotly-contested battle in the race for the number four spot in the PDC Order of Merit, one which secures automatic qualification for the Premier League.
Clayton now sits at five on that list after a dominant 8-2 win over Gruellich, who backed up his recent Development Tour win with his first-ever PDC Pro Tour final.
Despite winning the opening leg, the 23-year-old was powerless to fend off Clayton as the Welshman averaged 109.68, moving himself into ninth place in the Players Championship Finals rankings.
Incredibly, Clayton lost just 11 legs across seven matches, averaging at least 100 in six of them and thrashing Michael van Gerwen 6-1 in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Gruellich took several notable scalps, overcoming the likes of Daryl Gurney, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Michael Smith on his way to the final.
SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR CLAYTON! 🏴
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 15, 2025
Electrifying from Jonny Clayton!
The Ferret averages 109.68 to defeat Dominik Gruellich 8-2 and secure the Players Championship 14 title in Rosmalen! 👏
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8 pic.twitter.com/jWYBf3HIZh
Encouragement for Smith
Form, arthritis in his wrist and the 2023 World Championship money coming off his ranking has led to Smith plummeting down the PDC Order of Merit.
Even a run to the semi-finals in Rosmalen has only moved the former world champion back up to 19th, but the last-four spot was his second in five attempts.
Peter Wright was again among the early losers, bowing out 6-5 to Alexander Merkx, while Monday's winner Damon Heta lost to Ricardo Pietreczko in the third round.
Darren Plant
