Nathan Aspinall reflects on ‘torrid’ year and grandad’s influence as he wins Players Championship 22

Aspinall, who is a former UK Open champion, progressed to his fourth Players Championship final of the year and delivered the goods to claim the £12,000 prize.

The 31-year-old held his throw comfortably in the opening leg, before seizing total control of the match with back-to-back 11 and 12 darters.

Aspinall then pinned deadly 70 and 64 combinations to stretch his insatiable lead to 7-1. While Ratajski did claim successive legs to make the score look a tad more reasonable, it was the Stockport star who sealed the win with a two-dart 58 checkout.

"I've not played fantastically today, but I've dug deep and I've produced big legs and finishes that matter," said Aspinall, celebrating his seventh PDC title.

"It feels good that I've won a tournament without playing my A-game at any stage.

"My Grandad has come today. He was there for my UK Open win and I've won a Pro Tour now, so I won't be able to get rid of him, he'll want to keep coming back!

"It's been a torrid 12 months for me. I fell down the rankings, and I'm still in pain [from his injury] now, but I'm absolutely buzzing.

"I'm enjoying my darts again. When it's so close to being taken away from you, it gives you so much motivation, and I want it so much."

Ryan Searle 6-2 Luke Humphries

Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Stephen Bunting

Danny Noppert 6-4 Michael Smith

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5 Dimitri Van den Bergh

Nathan Aspinall 7-6 Ryan Searle

Krzysztof Ratajski 7-5 Danny Noppert

Nathan Aspinall 8-3 Krzysztof Ratajski