Averaging a superb 103.59 at the tournament in the Netherlands, the Welsh arrowsman dispatched German newcomer Dominik Gruellich 8-2 in Tuesday’s Players Championship 14 showpiece, averaging 109.68 in the final to secure the seventh Players Championship title of his career.
The Welsh number one produced ton-plus averages in six of his seven matches at the Autotron, conceding just 11 legs across the course of the afternoon.
Clayton’s opening round demolition of George Killington set the tone, and his 111.16 average in that contest was the highest of the day in Rosmalen.
Following successive 6-2 wins against Swedish duo Oskar Lukasiak and Jeffrey de Graaf, Clayton then powered through to the last eight with a 6-1 thumping of Michael van Gerwen.
There, the former Premier League champion stormed to a whitewash win over James Wade, before reeling off six straight legs from 3-1 down to breeze past Danny Noppert 7-3 in the semi-finals.
Clayton produced a similarly explosive burst against Gruellich, landing a brace of 11-darters and 121 checkouts in the latter stages to pocket the £15,000 top prize on Dutch soil.
Speaking after the victory Clayton said:
“Today was a good day. I loved every second of it,” admitted Clayton, who boasted a tournament average of 103.59.
“Fair play to Dominik. He did brilliantly, but things went my way today, and hopefully it carries on going for the rest of the year.
“If I can find this form consistently, that would be brilliant. I’ll be dangerous then!
“I just take every tournament as it comes. When it doesn’t go well, you have to take it on the chin, but I will always keep trying.”
