Matt Heasley/PDC

Damon Heta lauds 'massive confidence boost' as road to World Matchplay continues with another title

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 12:01 PM ET

Damon Heta has won the 20th Players Championship of the year. 'The Heat' defeated Stephen Bunting 8-7 in the final in Leicester. For Heta, it is already the second title this year at the Players Championship.

The Australian number one defied a startling comeback from Bunting to clinch the £15,000 top prize at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester after leading 7-4 at one point.

Bunting followed up a brilliant 130 finish with legs of 11 and 15 darts to force a shoot-out in the final leg, but Heta kept his cool in the deciding leg to win the ninth Players Championship title of his career.

The 37-year-old Australian is clearly on form at the right time, casting himself as one of the favorites for the upcoming World Matchplay, which starts next Saturday at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Boost

"I thought I was just going to shoe it in at one point there and obviously not, Stephen showed his class and I think he hit an 11 and a 10 (darter). I thought oh no don't you stuff this up. Knew I had the throw in the last and probably thinking about it put me off."

"I'm really excited that I got that win today. To get the win today is a massive confidence boost. I know I’m hitting the heights, and that’s where I need to be. It’s just a matter of taking my opportunities, and I was able to do that today."

The Players Championship continues already today, as the 21st Players Championship of the year is finished this afternoon in Leicester. So wait and see if Heta manages to triumph for the second day in a row, something no player has managed to do yet this year.

"Really excited that I got that win today!"

Damon Heta reflects on his thrilling #PC20 win in Leicester after defeating Stephen Bunting 8-7. pic.twitter.com/7sy8b1Vk0Y
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 8, 2025