Machine Gun and The Bullet in Players Championship 18 shootout

Stephen Bunting recorded a succession of stand out performances to clinch his fourth PDC title of 2025 on Wednesday, defeating Jermaine Wattimena 8-5 to celebrate Players Championship 18 glory in Leicester.

Bunting has claimed a brace of World Series titles in Bahrain and Copenhagen this year, and having also lifted a maiden European Tour crown in April's International Darts Open, he added to his title tally with an inspired afternoon's work at the Mattioli Arena.

The 40-year-old produced six ton-plus averages en route to glory in the East Midlands, following up a 6-2 demolition of William Borland with successive 6-3 wins against Ian White and European Champion Ritchie Edhouse.

Before we get into how breathtakingly brilliant the Liverpudlian was, let’s give credit where it’s due. Wattimena certainly deserves a nod, reaching only his third Players Championship final - and his first since 2020. It’s fair to say the Dutchman is one of the best players on the circuit without a PDC title to his name - arguably top of that list.

But in a showdown booming with heavy artillery, it was the Bullet who shot down the Machine Gun. You can’t have one without the other when going into battle, and both men played their part in a high-octane climax to day two at the Morningside Arena.

Whatever Bunting had for breakfast clearly did the trick. The former Lakeside Champion smashed in ton-plus averages in every match - bar one, and that wasn’t far off.

Willie Borland, Ian White, and Ritchie Edhouse were early victims for the Premier League star, with his lowest average in those matches heading towards 102. Another Scot, Alan Soutar, was next on the Scouser’s receiving end - Bunting upping it even more to douse the firefighter’s flames.

Whatever Bunting had for breakfast this morning clearly did the trick. 

It got a little edgy in the next couple of contests, both ending with shoot-out deciders. First, Czech World Cup star Karel Sedlacek pushed him all the way in a fascinating match that went with throw throughout - until the decider, where Evil Charlie will be disappointed not to have continued the pattern.

Then came Bunting’s good mate Chizzy, on the receiving end of another thriller. That one also see-sawed throughout, but crucially in the last leg, it was the red-shirted former Masters champ who, with the darts, dramatically nicked it against his buddy in traditional bright yellow.

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The final looked like it might be over in a flash. The St Helens man raced into a 6-1 lead, leaving Wattimena - who was playing well himself - wondering what had hit him. But the Dutchman dug deep, clawing back to 7-5. It wasn’t enough though, as Bunting stepped up with exactly four visits to the board to finish in style and seal a hat-trick of career Pro Tour titles. There’s a UK Open qualifier from 2014 in there, which I’m sure he counts - so take your pick. After losing all six finals he made last year, he probably won’t care how it’s tallied right now.

A couple of shout-outs for other star performers. Cam Crabtree enjoyed just his third run to a quarter-final and impressed again - he can thank Dave Chisnall for not going any further. And fresh from World Cup duty with Denmark, Benjamin Reus also had a handy jaunt to the last eight. If he ever gets a Wikipedia page, I’ll be able to tell you if he’s done that before. I suspect he has - the lad certainly has ability.

With the top three on the planet swerving Leicester - Littler and Van Gerwen on holiday, and who knows what Cool Hand is up to (probably a well-earned rest) - there was room for others to step up, and many did.

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PDC 2025 Players Championship (18)

Wednesday June 18 

Last 16
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Mervyn King
Cam Crabtree 6-3 Callan Rydz
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Alan Soutar
Karel Sedlacek 6-2 Damon Heta
Niels Zonneveld 6-1 James Wade
Benjamin Reus 6-4 Jonny Clayton
Mike De Decker 6-0 Ross Smith
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Ryan Searle

Quarter-Finals
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Cam Crabtree
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Karel Sedlacek
Niels Zonneveld 6-5 Benjamin Reus
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Mike De Decker

Semi-Finals
Stephen Bunting 7-6 Dave Chisnall
Jermaine Wattimena 7-6 Niels Zonneveld

Final
Stephen Bunting 8-5 Jermaine Wattimena