One day after Wessel Nijman claimed his sixth Players Championship title of 2026, the Dutchman is straight back into ProTour action at Players Championship 22, which takes place today. Nijman faces Pero Ljubic in round one, while Gerwyn Price meets Raymond van Barneveld and Chris Dobey takes on Peter Wright in two of the standout opening ties.
Price against Van Barneveld gives the opening round its most eye-catching tie, with the former world number one and the Dutch icon drawn together early on another busy ProTour day. Nijman begins against Ljubic after beating Ryan Searle 8-6 in the Players Championship 21 final. That victory gave him a sixth Players Championship title of 2026 and extended his lead at the top of the Players Championship Order of Merit.
Beau Greaves has also been handed a notable opener, taking on Ritchie Edhouse on Board 1. Dobey’s meeting with Wright is another heavyweight first round clash, while Jonny Clayton starts against Dimitri Van den Bergh. Rob Cross faces Chris Landman, Stephen Bunting plays Tavis Dudeney, Michael Smith meets Daniel Ayres, and Ross Smith opens against Samuel Price.
Searle, runner-up to Nijman at PC21, begins against Carl Sneyd, while Luke Woodhouse faces Dennie Olde Kalter and Dave Chisnall starts against Dominik Gruellich. Elsewhere, Danny Noppert takes on David Sharp, Kevin Doets meets Thomas Lovely, Dirk van Duijvenbode faces Tommy Lishman, and Andrew Gilding opens against Derek Coulson. Gian van Veen, still looking for stronger Players Championship results in the race to Minehead, faces Aden Kirk. Damon Heta begins against Nathan Potter, Cameron Menzies meets Henry Coates, and Mike De Decker plays Yorick Hofkens.
