What Is 2017 PDC Players Championship 12

Overview

The 2017 PDC Players Championship 12 was the twelfth of 20 events in the PDC Pro Tour calendar that year, forming part of the Players Championships series. It was a non-televised, one-day tournament featuring 128 players competing for ranking points and prize money.

Hosted on June 10, 2017, the event took place at the Stadhuis in Eindhoven, Netherlands, a recurring venue for PDC darts events. The tournament followed a straight knockout format, with matches played in a best-of-11 legs format until the final, which was best-of-11 legs as well.

• Michael van Gerwen won the tournament, defeating Dave Chisnall 6–2 in the final to claim his fifth Players Championship title of 2017.
• The event featured a full field of 128 players, including top PDC professionals and regional qualifiers from across Europe.
• Van Gerwen dropped only two matches in sets throughout the entire tournament, showcasing dominant form on his path to victory.
• The total prize fund was £100,000, with the winner receiving £10,000 and ranking points toward the PDC Order of Merit.
• Notable early exits included James Wade, who lost in the second round to qualifier Steve West, highlighting the event’s competitive depth.

How It Works

The PDC Players Championships are a series of floor tournaments that make up the PDC Pro Tour, offering consistent competition and ranking opportunities for professional darts players throughout the year.

• Format: Each event is a standalone, one-day tournament using a knockout structure with best-of-11 legs matches; the final is also best-of-11 legs.
• Participants:128 players qualify based on PDC rankings, regional qualifiers, and tour card holders from the PDC ProTour system.
• Venue Rotation: Events are held across Europe, with Eindhoven being a regular stop due to strong fan support and venue availability.
• Scoring: Players earn ProTour ranking points based on how far they advance, influencing qualification for televised majors like the World Matchplay.
• Prize Money: Each Players Championship offers £100,000 in prize money, with the winner receiving £10,000 and incremental payouts down to the last 64.
• Regulation: Matches are governed by PDC rules, including standard dartboard setup, 501 start format, and double-out requirement.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2017 PDC Players Championship 12 with other key darts events in terms of format, prize money, and player participation:

While Players Championship events like PC12 offer lower prize money than major televised tournaments, they are crucial for maintaining consistent competitive play and ranking momentum. Their non-televised nature allows more players to participate without the pressure of live broadcasting, making them vital for development and qualification pathways.

Why It Matters

The 2017 PDC Players Championship 12 played a significant role in shaping the competitive landscape of professional darts that year, particularly in reinforcing Michael van Gerwen’s dominance and providing lower-ranked players with opportunities to earn ranking points.

• Van Gerwen’s victory extended his lead in the 2017 PDC Order of Merit, strengthening his position for major tournament seedings.
• The event highlighted the depth of competition, with 16 different nationalities represented among the 128 participants.
• Players Championship events like this one are essential for tour card holders to maintain status and qualify for televised majors.
• Van Gerwen’s consistent performance across 2017 Players Championships contributed to him winning the Player of the Year award.
• For fans in the Netherlands, the Eindhoven stop boosted local interest in darts and supported grassroots growth of the sport.
• The tournament’s format allows emerging players to test themselves against elite competition in a high-pressure but non-televised setting.

Ultimately, the 2017 PDC Players Championship 12 was more than just another tour stop—it was a pivotal moment in the season that underscored the competitive rigor of the PDC circuit and the sustained excellence of its top performers.