Raymond van Barneveld recorded his lowest-ever average on the PDC ProTour in a 6-1 defeat to Owen Bates in the second round of Players Championship Two on Tuesday.
The five-time world champion suffered a crushing defeat to Bates in round two, averaging a mere 69.39 in the process.
The legendary Dutchman did average 65.86 in a match against Martin Adams back in 2020, but this is his lowest recorded on the PDC circuit.
Nijman denies Price in epic final in Hildesheim
Wessel Nijman clinched his fourth PDC ranking title
Wessel Nijman defied a heroic performance from Gerwyn Price to clinch his fourth PDC ranking title in Hildesheim.
Price and Nijman were the top two performers in the 2025 Players Championship rankings, and they reaffirmed their credentials on a staggering day of action at Halle 39.
However, it was Nijman who scooped the £15,000 top prize, defying a 107.41 average from Price to triumph in a compelling deciding-leg shoot-out.
The emerging Dutchman landed a trio of 14-darters to establish an early 3-1 lead, only for Price – aided by a 144 checkout in leg six – to restore parity at three apiece.
Price then followed up an 11-darter in leg 10 with a sumptuous 121 checkout on the bull to lead 6-5, but his advantage was short-lived, as Nijman hit back with a 12-dart break to level at 6-6.
The pair then traded comfortable holds of throw to set up a thrilling finale, although the advantage of throw proved pivotal for Nijman, who backed up a superb 171 with a clinical 94 finish to prevail.
“To win a final like this, when Gerwyn pushes you to the limit, it means a lot,” insisted Nijman, who averaged 102.78 in sealing a memorable victory.
“I am really happy with the way I played today. I’m getting close to the top 24 now but I want to improve a lot.
“I want to be in the top 16 and I want to improve in the big games.
“I’ve said it before in Dutch television interviews; you cannot be playing like this on the floor without it happening on the big stages.
“I’m not really worried about not performing on the big stage; I think it’s just a matter of time.”
Price registered an astonishing tournament average of 105.69 across his seven matches, featuring the two highest averages of the afternoon.
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The moment Michael van Gerwen defeated Gian van Veen to win the opening night of the 2026 Premier League Darts
The fireworks began in his last 16 clash against Luke Woodhouse, as he averaged 111.14 to set up a showdown against his great rival Michael van Gerwen.
Price, remarkably, was even better against the Dutch superstar, averaging 117.12 to complete a nine-minute whitewash, featuring legs of 14, 11, 12, 11, 15 and 14 darts.
The Welshman later averaged north of 104 in his 7-4 success against Krzysztof Ratajski in the semi-finals, only to fall agonisingly short in the final at the expense of a nerveless Nijman.
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Gerwyn Price made a bold prediction ahead of the 2026 Premier League
Monday’s champion James Wade was edged out in a last-leg decider by Dave Chisnall in round three, while European Champion Gian van Veen and two-time world champion Peter Wright were among the high-profile opening-round casualties on German soil.
Elsewhere, James Hurrell and Gabriel Clemens added their names to the nine-dart roll of honour, achieving perfection against Maik Kuivenhoven and Madars Razma respectively.
2026 Players Championship Two results
Tuesday February 10 – Halle 39, Hildesheim
Last 16
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Luke Woodhouse
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 James Hurrell
Danny Noppert 6-2 Gabriel Clemens
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Ryan Searle 6-4 Kevin Doets
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Daryl Gurney
Wessel Nijman 6-4 Tommy Morris
Carl Sneyd 6-5 Ritchie Edhouse
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 6-0 Michael van Gerwen
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Danny Noppert
Ryan Searle 6-1 Dave Chisnall
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Carl Sneyd
Semi-Finals
Gerwyn Price 7-4 Krzysztof Ratajski
Wessel Nijman 7-2 Ryan Searle
Final
Wessel Nijman 8-7 Gerwyn Price
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday from February until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
