At the Players Championship 23, Raymond van Barneveld demonstrated once again that his talent and class remain very much intact.
During the sixth leg of his match against Connor Scutt, the Dutchman set himself up for a nine-dart finish, signaling that he had come to play. As captured in video footage, this moment was merely the beginning of a standout performance.
Raymond van Barneveld 9-darter attempt
EIGHT PERFECT DARTS FOR RVB!
Raymond van Barneveld comes so close to perfection at #PC23, before taking out 161 to complete a 6-4 victory over Connor Scutt!
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8 #PC23 pic.twitter.com/Pobfo2AohY
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 30, 2025
Raymond van Barneveld match winning checkout
Currently ranked 35th in the world, Van Barneveld is eager to collect vital ranking pounds, aiming for success both on the floor and on stage. This hunger follows a disappointing early exit at Players Championship 22 the previous day, where he fell 6-3 to Nathan Rafferty. On that occasion, Van Barneveld posted a below-par average of just 75.50 — a performance far below the standard expected of the five-time world champion.
Jermaine Wattimena takes revenge after nasty moment by Clemens
During the same tournament there was this dirty moment by the German player on Tuesday. A day later the Dutchman took revenge with another nasty move as shown on this footage.
However, less than 24 hours later, Van Barneveld returned to the oche with renewed focus and determination. At Players Championship 23, he delivered a much-improved display, averaging 94.01 and defeating Connor Scutt 6-4. Beyond his near-miss at a nine-darter, Van Barneveld sealed the victory in spectacular fashion with a stunning 161 checkout. The 58-year-old’s sharp resurgence suggests a fresh mindset and renewed confidence.
For Van Barneveld, maintaining this high level of play is crucial as he seeks to maximize his earnings and climb the PDC Order of Merit.
Despite his rich legacy, his recent appearance on the big stage at the World Matchplay was less impressive. In an all-Dutch clash against Michael van Gerwen, both players underperformed, but Van Barneveld missed a significant opportunity. Van Gerwen’s modest average of 91.84 left the door open, yet Van Barneveld’s own 87.10 average wasn’t enough to capitalize. As a result, Van Gerwen took the victory, and Van Barneveld’s chance for a major leap up the rankings slipped away early.
Today’s performance, however, indicates that Van Barneveld is far from done. If he can sustain this form, the Players Championship 23 might well mark a turning point in his 2025 campaign.