Kevin Doets captured his maiden PDC ranking title in Hildesheim, beating Luke Woodhouse 8‑5 in the Players Championship 13 final. The Dutchman had reached consecutive semi‑finals at the ProTour double‑header before breaking through at Halle 39. Both finalists were the highest‑ranked players yet to win a PDC title.

Doets sparked momentum with a two‑dart 100 checkout in leg seven, launching a five‑leg run that pushed him ahead 7‑4. He finished 105 and 128 on the rebound, then steadied nerves to seal the win on his ninth match dart. His 100.61 average earned him a £15,000 payday.

Earlier, Dirk van Duijvenbode added a perfect nine‑dart finish against Madars Razma, while Michael van Gerwen bowed out in round three to Krzysztof Ratajski. Van Gerwen’s exit leaves the tournament open for newcomers, and Doets’ victory positions him within reach of a top‑16 world ranking and a major title.

With the title, Doets now enjoys a confidence boost and a tangible step toward the majors. His average and checkout prowess signal a rising talent ready to challenge established names. The result also dampens expectations for van Gerwen’s dominance in the current ProTour season today.