Stephen Bunting showcased an exceptional performance to secure his first Players Championship title since 2021, defeating Jermaine Wattimena in a thrilling final held in Leicester. The world number four dazzled with six 180s and an impressive average of 104.84, dominating the match from the outset.

Despite Wattimena initially breaking to win the first leg, Bunting swiftly took control by winning six consecutive legs, including notable checkouts of 164 and 156. Although Wattimena narrowed the gap to 7-5, Bunting's resilience shone through as he sealed the victory with an 11-darter, finishing with a 94 checkout.

Bunting's path to the final was equally remarkable. He averaged 106.43 in a tough last-16 clash against Alan Soutar, winning 6-4. He then overcame Karel Sedlacek in a nail-biting quarter-final and edged past Dave Chisnall in the semi-finals, both matches going to the last leg.

Wattimena, on the other hand, had a stellar run to the final, winning four consecutive one-leg shootouts against top players like Josh Rock and Ryan Searle. However, he couldn't maintain his momentum against the formidable Bunting in the final.

The Leicester triple-header concluded with Players Championship 20 on Thursday, following Chris Dobey's victory in the 17th event. With 34 Players Championship events scheduled throughout the year, the competition's finals are set to take place in Minehead this November.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Bunting, reaffirming his status as one of the top players in the world of darts.