Rob Cross ended a 16-month ranking title drought by defeating Maik Kuivenhoven 8-5 to win the PDC Players Championship 22 in Wigan. The 2018 World Champion secured his 11th career Pro Tour crown and his first of the 2026 season.
- Kuivenhoven made his first-ever appearance in a PDC Pro Tour final.
- Cross dispatched Stephen Bunting 7-3 in the semi-finals with 170, 127, and 130 finishes.
- Gerwyn Price and Dimitri Van den Bergh suffered early tournament exits.
The tournament saw several heavyweights crash out early. Callan Rydz eliminated Gerwyn Price 6-5, Jonny Clayton thrashed Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-0, and Ritchie Edhouse beat Beau Greaves 6-1. Kuivenhoven capitalized on the open field to reach his first career final, but Cross controlled the deciding match.
Cross averaged 95.96 during his 6-4 quarter-final victory over Alexander Merkx before overwhelming Bunting. The win marks his first ranking title since the opening Players Championship event of 2025. He secured the victory and ended a long title drought ahead of the World Matchplay.
Following the final, Cross addressed his recent personal challenges. He went through a divorce and credited a positive co-parenting dynamic for providing a necessary mental reset. He stated the personal trials gave him a renewed focus and a much-needed push to return to his winning form.