Jim Williams wins first PDC title after toppling Ricky Evans in sixth Players Championship
The 37-year-old Welshman overcame his nerves in Barnsley to clinch the final 8-6.
Jim Williams only joined the professional circuit earlier this year, but after just six events, the Welshman has already picked up his first PDC title.
Williams reached the final after a 7-5 triumph against Martin Schindler, while his opponent Ricky Evans had beaten Danny Noppert 7-6.
That set up a dramatic final in which both players were vying for a maiden PDC title.
With that said, it's understandable why nerves seemed to factor into both performances, with Evans and Williams making a number of mistakes throughout.
𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 🏆
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 20, 2022
Jim Williams wins his first ever PDC title as he beats Ricky Evans 8-6 in the final!
What a nervy last leg, but Williams adds his name to the roll of honour 👏
He is the Players Championship 6 champion! pic.twitter.com/JcVl0fM9SG
A closely contested match saw the pair go back and forth, with Evans breaking throw late on with a stunning 128 finish to level the scores at 6-6.
However, Williams replied in style, with his 12-dart leg giving him a 7-6 lead and putting him within touching distance of a first career title.
The nerves understandably ramped up at that point, but mistakes from both sides left the Welshman a double one finish to clinch an 8-6 win in the Barnsley Metrodome.
Following the match, Williams admitted nerves affected his game, but only as he stepped up for the last match darts.
"𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀"
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 20, 2022
Hear from Welshman Jim Williams after winning his first PDC title at Players Championship 6 pic.twitter.com/ue5p8I0XDD
"I didn't feel any nerves all day until the last match darts.
"It wasn't a great way to win it but it is a good feeling. It's a very long day and I haven't played that much in the last three years really so I had to battle through.
"To win it is great and hopefully now I feel like I belong and can kick on from here."