Cameron Menzies just grabbed his second championship of the year, absolutely slaying Gian van Veen, who is ranked third in the PDC world, at the Players Championship 29 over in Den Bosch. Seriously, this guy is on a tear, making a massive statement by taking down a top-ranked opponent.
He Didn’t Just Win, He Dominated Early
Menzies came out firing from the jump against Van Veen, who was the home favorite. He raced into a ridiculous 5-0 lead! That’s not just a good start, that’s laying down the law right away. He sealed the deal with an 8-4 victory, showing that even when your opponent tries to claw back, you can hold them off. Menzies himself was pumped, saying, “To go and win another ProTour is awesome. I’m so happy.” Think about that for a second. This is his fifth year on the tour, and he’s already racked up four ProTour wins. “That’s not bad I suppose,” he said. “Not bad”? Come on, man, that’s incredible! It shows a consistency and a drive that’s rare to see. He’s not just showing up, he’s competing at the highest level consistently, and it’s paying off big time.
From Punching Tables to ProTour Glory
But here’s the kicker, the part that makes this story pure gold. Menzies actually thought about quitting darts earlier this year. Can you believe it? He almost walked away after a brutal first-round exit at the World Championship. The frustration got to him so bad he actually damaged his hand punching a drinks table. Talk about hitting rock bottom! But he didn’t quit. Instead, he channeled that fire. This dude made his World Cup debut for Scotland earlier this year too, proving he’s got the talent. In July, he picked up his first title of the year at Players Championship 23 in Leicester. And get this, later that same month, he knocked off the world number two, Luke Humphries, in the first round of the World Matchplay! Unfortunately, he got sick in his very next match, but the talent, the sheer force of will, was on full display. His path to this Den Bosch final was no cakewalk either; he battled through Kevin Doets, Jeffrey de Graaf, Wessel Nijman, Benjamin Pratnemer, Jim Long, and Nick Kenny. Each one a tough opponent. He knows what’s at stake. “I’ve put more effort in this year than I ever have because I nearly lost it all and I’m grateful to be in this position,” Menzies shared. That’s the mindset of a champion, right there.
Menzies has his sights set high, too. He’s not just happy with ProTour titles, though those are amazing wins. He wants more. He said his aim is to “make a good life for myself,” which is totally relatable, but then he added, “winning a major and having a good run at the World Championship would be amazing.” So yeah, keep your eyes on Cameron Menzies. This guy’s got the fire, the talent, and the comeback story to make some serious noise as the year goes on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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