Rob Cross defeated Joe Cullen 8-3 to win the 2025 opening players’ championship event in Wigan after Luke Little lost in the third round.
Cross has already won the Dutch masters of Darts last month and is one of the eight players in the Premier League arrows, which continues in Glasgow this Thursday – Live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+ from 7pm.
The former world champion mainly fought in the championship series of players closed last year after not winning an event since 2023.
“I’ve been convinced for the last four months. I have been hit and miss you, but when I find it, I can play some special arrows,” Cross said.
“After last year’s experience (in the player champion series), it’s good to win again. I was lazy occasionally last year, but I was very stubborn and wanted to spend time with my family.
“I have never won two titles this beginning of the year. If I can submit it when I’m not feeling 100%, that’s just typical I’m not!”
Cross previously defeated Rob Owen, Owen Bates, James Hurrell and Carl Sneyd to reach the quarter-finals, where he overcame a great fear against Jermaine Wattimena to win 6-5, before defeating Andrew Gilding 7-3 in the semifinals.
The 34-year-old went into an early 3-0 lead in the final, but Cullen fought again at 3-2. However, Cross won five of the next six legs to search for a second title in the PDC county this year.
Cullen beats Little, Humphries before it came short
Cullen produced his best arrows of 2025 so far on his way to the runners in Wigan on Monday.
The man nicknamed ‘Rockstar’ passed the past Greg Ritchie and Scott Williams in his two opening matches, then amazed Little 6-3 in the last 32.
After beating the Dutch Gian Van Van 6-5 and Richard Veenstra 6-4, he won a recent decision maker in the last four years against Luke Humphries, to end the world winning world in 13 games.
A second event of the player championship will take place on Tuesday in Wigan.
Look at the second night of the Premier League Arrows 2025 this Thursday from 7pm to Glasgow at Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+. Stream arrows and more high sport with now