Scott Williams defied the odds to defeat Nathan Aspinall and win Players Championship 17 – and all without holding a PDC Tour Card.
Williams came up short in his bid to win a Tour Card at Q-School in January. But he didn't let that bother him one bit in Niedernhausen on Wednesday. The 32-year-old arrowsmith qualified for the event through his status as Challenge Tour Order of Merit leader – and he made it count in some style to take home the £12,000 top prize.
Shaggy overcame four televised title winners, including Jonny Clayton and John Henderson, to set up a meeting with former UK Open champion Aspinall in the final.
Things started well in the final for the Englishman, who won the opening two legs with successive 16 and 17-darters. But Aspinall came roaring back with three legs on the spin to take a narrow 3-2 lead.
The pair shared the next two legs as Aspinall maintained his one-leg advantage before a burst of four legs on the spin from Williams, including a 12-darter, gave him a 7-4 advantage.
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The Asp reduced the deficit to 7-5 but ultimately left himself with too much to do as Williams won the 13th leg to secure an unlikely 8-5 victory.
In wrapping up his success, Williams became the first player to win a ranking title without a PDC Tour Card since Krzysztof Ratajski in February 2018.
Speaking afterwards, the new world no.76 was understandably delighted with his day's work. "I’m so pleased, I cannot believe it," said Williams, who has won three Challenge Tour titles in 2022.
"I am beating players that people see in big TV events every week. That is an unbelievable feeling. My main target was to get into the World Championship. I’m also looking good for the Players Championship Finals now. I’m so happy. I want people to see me and know who I am."
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