Damon Heta turned up the heat in Rosmalen on Monday evening, clinching his eighth Players Championship title — and his first of the year — with a dominant display against Nathan Aspinall in the final of Players Championship 13.
In a final that showcased his composure and scoring power, Heta controlled much of the match despite a mid-leg resurgence from Aspinall, eventually sealing an 8–6 victory. With a checkout percentage of 72.7% and five 180s in the final alone, Heta’s clinical finishing and relentless scoring made the difference.
🔥 How the Final Played Out
The match began tightly, with both players holding throw in 15 darts each. Despite the 1-1 scoreline, Heta was averaging nearly 20 points more than Aspinall and soon made it count. A 13-dart break followed by a stylish 107 checkout helped Heta establish a commanding 4–1 lead.
Aspinall showed flashes of resistance, producing a 110 checkout to make it 5–3, but Heta responded immediately with a classy 120 finish to restore his three-leg cushion. The “Asp” then rallied with back-to-back legs to level the match at 6–6, including a scrappy 21-dart hold and a timely break.
However, Heta remained unfazed. He held throw for 7–6 and pounced on a faltering leg from Aspinall to break and seal the win 8–6.
🏆 Final Result
| Player | Average | 100+ | 140+ | 180s | High Checkout | Checkout % | Legs Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damon Heta | 94.91 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 120 | 72.7% | 8 |
| Nathan Aspinall | 88.45 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 110 | 37.5% | 6 |
⚔️ Route to the Final
Semi-Finals
- Damon Heta 7–2 Andrew Gilding (101.20 avg)
- Nathan Aspinall 7–4 Jonny Clayton
Quarter-Finals
- Damon Heta 6–2 Karel Sedlacek
- Andrew Gilding 6–4 Wessel Nijman
- Nathan Aspinall 6–2 Martin Lukeman
- Jonny Clayton 6–5 Martin Schindler
Top 16 Highlights
- Heta saw off Jermaine Wattimena 6–4 (97.84 avg)
- Aspinall overcame Dirk van Duijvenbode 6–4
- Gilding edged Gian van Veen 6–5 despite the Dutchman averaging 101.32
- Sedlacek won a thriller against Josh Rock 6–5 with a 101.55 average
Damon Heta’s win marks a big step forward in his 2025 season, reasserting his threat on the ProTour and reminding everyone why he’s one of the game’s elite finishers under pressure.
Stay tuned — The Heat is rising.
Ben Evans is a passionate darts writer with a keen eye for statistics and news. With years of experience following the PDC scene, Ben brings in-depth coverage of tournaments, player performances, and emerging dart trends. Known for his detailed analysis and love for the game, he keeps fans updated with the latest stats, match insights, and memorable moments. When he’s not covering the action on the oche, Ben enjoys a game of darts, staying sharp on the sport he loves.