Jeffrey de Graaf secured his maiden PDC ranking title, defeating Stephen Bunting 8-7 in a thrilling final to claim Players Championship 24 this afternoon.
The Dutch-born Swede, who had reached the final of Event Eight in March, produced one level better to become the first Swedish player to win a PDC ranking.
Despite Bunting racing to a 4-1 lead in the final, De Graaf won four consecutive legs to take a 5-4 lead, and clinched a last-leg decider to win Event 24 in Milton Keynes.
"It means a lot, it's my first title ever in the PDC so it’s a great, it’s fantastic," said De Graaf.
"In the beginning, I missed a few doubles, but I got it over the line. I'm still shaking!
"I’m happy to be the first [Swedish player to win a Players Championship title], but hopefully not the last.
"For me, this is massive. It takes the pressure off me too, so it is great."
De Graaf squeezed through the opening round 6-5 against Adam Paxton, followed by a 6-4 win over Ryan Searle and another last-leg deciding win against Jose de Sousa.
The Swede then defeated former World Champion Michael Smith 6-2 in the last 16, before comfortable 6-1 and 7-2 wins against Alan Soutar and Scott Williams respectively put De Graaf in just his second Players Championship final.
In a high-quality final, De Graaf saved his best performance for last, defying a 106 average from Bunting and producing a 102 average of his own to clinch the title in a last-leg decider.
