10-07-2025
Darts star fights back tears as 500/1 outsider, 25, incredibly wins life changing prize money at Players Championship
DARTS underdog Bradley Brooks banked himself £15,000 when he overcame the odds to win the Players Championship 21 on Wednesday.
Brooks, 25, got the better of three top players to earn himself a life-changing payday and a maiden senior PDC title in Leicester.
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Bradley Brooks defied the odds to win the Players Championship 21 and pocket £15,000
Credit: Getty
The Blackburn thrower, who previously won the World Youth Championship in 2020, got the better of Chris Dobey and James Wade on his way to an 8-5 victory over
Brooks put up an average of 97 to beat former world champ Price, fending off a comeback from 'The Iceman' despite being 500/1 to win the tournament at the start of the day.
Brooks was overcome with emotion when discussing the victory post-match, fighting back tears as he opened up on bouncing back from losing his Tour Card last year to earning his first title.
He said: "I'm proud, but it's not all just me. I've got a good family, a good manager, Mrs, mum, nan - everyone. They all look after me.
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"And they all know how much I struggled when I lost my Tour Card last year, my dad included as well, and I think if it wasn't for the people around me I wouldn't be where I am today".
In disbelief at what he had achieved, he added: "I'm lost for words. This week I felt so comfortable in my own game and everything clicked, so I'm over the moon.
"I treated the final like I had nothing to lose. I can't put into words how much it means to me.
"I struggled a couple of times this year and I still have that bad game in me, but I think when I do get it right, I can mix it with the best in the room."
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Brooks appeared emotional as he discussed his shock victory
Credit: X
Bradley Brooks' route to success
Here's how Brooks blew away top competition to earn himself a handsome payday..
Round of 128
Bradley Brooks 6-2 William Borland
Round of 64
Brandon Brooks 6-3 Chris Dobey
Round of 32
Bradley Brooks 6-5 Brendan Dolan
Last 16
Bradley Brooks 6-5 James Wade
Quarter-finals
Bradley Brooks 6-1 Josh Rock
Semi-final
Bradley Brooks 7-6 James Hurrell
Final
Bradley Brooks 8-5 Gerwyn Price
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The victory for Brooks has rocketed him 23 places higher in the PDC Order of Merit, leaving him at 73rd spot.
While his spot at 60th in the ProTour Order of Merit puts him in good stead for a place at the World Championship this December if he can continue his form.
Elsewhere at the Players Championship 21, former world champion Micheal Smith crashed out in the first round - meaning
Unfortunately Smith crashed out in the first round, losing 6-4 to Thibault Tricole and sealing his unfortunate fate.
Although Smith hasn't missed a World Matchplay event since 2013, he has never lifted the trophy and came closest to tasting success in 2019 when he finished runner up to
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Michael Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay in Blackpool
Credit: Getty
World Matchplay field
Here's a look at the field for the tournament in Blackpool..
Luke Humphries
Luke Littler
Michael van Gerwen
Stephen Bunting
Jonny Clayton
Chris Dobey
Damon Heta
Nathan Aspinall
James Wade
Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price
Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson
Ross Smith
Peter Wright
Danny Noppert
Qualifiers from ProTour Rankings
Martin Schindler
Josh Rock
Cameron Menzies
Gian van Veen
Wessel Nijman
Ryan Searle
Mike De Decker
Dirk van Duijvenbode
Jermaine Wattimena
Andrew Gilding
Daryl Gurney
Joe Cullen
Ricardo Pietreczko
Luke Woodhouse
Raymond van Barneveld
Ryan Joyce
