Jonny Clayton secures European Tour title treble at the Dutch Darts Championship

Jonny Clayton clinched his third European Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship with a superb comeback win over Niko Springer in the final on Sunday.

Clayton, who finished runner-up to Josh Rock in last year’s final in Rosmalen, went one better in 2025 as he recovered from 5-2 down to deny Springer his first PDC ranking title.

The Welshman also continued his love-affair with the Autotron, extending his winning run to 12 matches following his Players Championship success at this venue in April.

“This is a great feeling,” said Clayton, whose triumph sees him climb to fifth in the Order of Merit.

“I missed out to Josh Rock last year and I’ve gone one better this year. I’ve also had a ProTour win in Rosmalen, so this may be my new lucky home!

“What a player Niko is. He’s got such a big future. He’s a great lad with a great attitude, and he shows it on that dartboard.

“I came back somehow, and then I managed to get ahead and stay ahead. I’m so pleased to get over the line – it’s brilliant.”

Clayton began the day in dramatic style, overturning a 4-1 deficit to deny former European Champion Ross Smith in a deciding leg, before averaging 106 and landing seven 180s to dispatch home favourite Danny Noppert 6-4.

The 50-year-old came through a thrilling semi-final against top seed Luke Humphries, missing double 12 for a nine-darter in the latter stages of the contest en route to a 7-5 success.

Springer seized the early initiative in the final with legs of 12, 13 and 15 darts, but Clayton was unfazed, levelling at five apiece with a three-leg blitz of his own.

Clayton then followed up a 13-dart break with a 91 checkout to move to the cusp of victory at 7-5, before defying a brief rally from the young German to wrap up proceedings on double two.

Despite missing out on a maiden big stage title, Springer performed magnificently throughout the weekend to become the fourth German player to feature in a European Tour final.

Having won three matches in the Tour Card Holder Qualifier to book his place in the event, the 24-year-old defeated Jermaine Wattimena and third seed Stephen Bunting to progress to the Last 16.

His breakthrough run continued with wins over fellow countrymen Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko, before sweeping aside Wessel Nijman 7-3 in the semi-finals with a 103 average.

“I think in the beginning I started strongly, but to be honest, Jonny came back very well,” admitted Springer, a three-time Development Tour winner.

“I was under a lot of pressure. This was my first [senior] final, and I will learn a lot from this.

“I’m very happy with the way I performed. It’s a huge achievement for me, and hopefully in the future I will win one of these titles.”

Nijman also broke new ground on home soil, defeating Berry van Peer, Peter Wright, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Ryan Searle in advancing to his first European Tour semi-final.

The Dutch youngster was joined in the Last Four by world number one Humphries – who backed up his deciding-leg win over Cameron Menzies with a series of superb displays on Sunday.

Humphries averaged 104 to whitewash his former World Cup partner Michael Smith in the afternoon’s opener, before powering past William O’Connor with a 108.7 average in the quarter-finals.

O’Connor capitalised on his late-call up to the event by reaching the quarter-finals alongside Searle, Pietreczko and Noppert – who averaged 107 in his defeat to Clayton.

Dutch Darts Championship 2025 Day Three Results

Sunday May 25

Afternoon Session

Last 16
Luke Humphries 6-0 Michael Smith
William O’Connor 6-3 Ritchie Edhouse
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Ross Smith
Damon Heta 5-6 Danny Noppert
Mickey Mansell 0-6 Ryan Searle
Dirk van Duijvenbode 5-6 Wessel Nijman
Niko Springer 6-2 Martin Schindler
Daryl Gurney 5-6 Ricardo Pietreczko

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals
Luke Humphries 6-3 William O’Connor
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Danny Noppert
Wessel Nijman Ryan Searle
Niko Springer 6-2 Ricardo Pietreczko

Semi-Finals
Jonny Clayton 7-5 Luke Humphries
Niko Springer 7-3 Wessel Nijman

Final
Jonny Clayton 8-6 Niko Springer