Wesley Plaisier claimed his first Winmau Challenge Tour title of 2024 as the year's third weekend of action concluded with Event 15 in Leicester on Sunday.
Former European Tour semi-finalist Plaisier came through a 215-player field to triumph at the Mattioli Arena, surviving six match darts in an all-Dutch decider against Damian Mol.
Plaisier – a runner-up at Event Ten back in April – fought back from 4-3 down to deny his compatriot and clinch his third Challenge Tour crown, having also celebrated victories in 2022 and 2023.
The Dutchman signalled his intent with an opening round whitewash of Belgium’s Kenny Neyens, before following up a deciding-leg win over Reece Robinson by seeing off Owen Maiden and Charlie Martin.
Following a hard-fought victory against Hungary’s Pal Szekely, Plaisier then averaged 101 in a five-leg blitz of Darren Armstrong in the quarter-finals, converting 106, 127 and 170 checkouts along the way.
The 34-year-old then averaged 98 in his semi-final success against Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki, and he landed the £2,500 top prize with a dramatic victory against Mol, who squandered six match darts in the penultimate leg.
Mol accounted for Jarred Cole and Dominik Gruellich during his run to the decider, and he booked his place in Sunday’s showpiece with a 5-3 win over Dragutin Horvat, who made back-to-back finals on Saturday.
The imposing German dumped out former UK Open runner-up Colin Osbone in reaching the semi-finals, while Bialecki progressed to the same stage to build on his preparations ahead of the Superbet Poland Darts Masters.
Event 13 winner Connor Scutt delivered the performance of the tournament, averaging 108.91 in his demolition of Sam Spivey, prior to his challenge being thwarted by Darren Armstrong.
The 2024 Winmau Challenge Tour continues next month, with Events 16-20 set to be held at Milton Keynes’ Marshall Arena from August 16-18.
The top two players from the final 2024 Challenge Tour Order of Merit will secure a PDC Tour Card for 2025/26 and a place in the 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
Danny Jansen retains his lead at the top of the Order of Merit, with Kist, Andy Boulton, Scutt and Plaisier comprising the top five as it stands.
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2024 Winmau Challenge Tour
Sunday June 9, Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Event 15
Quarter-Finals
Dragutin Horvat 5-2 Colin Osborne
Damian Mol 5-3 Dominik Gruellich
Wesley Plaisier 5-0 Darren Armstrong
Sebastian Bialecki 5-3 Sean Fisher
Semi-Finals
Damian Mol 5-2 Dragutin Horvat
Wesley Plaisier 5-3 Sebastian Bialecki
Final
Wesley Plaisier 5-4 Damian Mol