Kevin Doets recorded the highest average of the day at Players Championship 3 in Wigan on Monday, despite not winning the tournament. Doets swept aside England's Owen Bates 6-1 in the last 64, posting a superb average of 113.05. His run ended in the quarterfinals with a 6-4 defeat to England's James Wade, but the performance helped him climb to 37th on the world rankings.
The second-highest average was set by Jonny Clayton. The 51-year-old Welshman whitewashed Sweden's Viktor Tingström 6-0 in the last 64, averaging 107.36. Clayton then reached the quarterfinals, where he lost 6-3 to eventual finalist Stephen Bunting. Tournament winner Chris Dobey completed the top three highest averages, recording a 106 average in his 6-4 last 32 victory over compatriot Ryan Joyce.
Dobey, 35, won the event by defeating compatriot Stephen Bunting 8-1 in the final, claiming his ninth Players Championship title. Despite the victory, Dobey remains 13th on the world rankings, though he edges closer to current number ten Danny Noppert.
Just outside the top three averages was Niels Zonneveld. The 27-year-old Dutchman defeated Welshman Rhys Griffin 6-3 in the opening round, recording a 105.88 average. Zonneveld eventually lost 6-5 in the last 32 to Canada's Jim Long. Stephen Bunting completes the top five with a 105.41 average. The Players Championship continues this afternoon with the fourth tournament of the year scheduled in Wigan.
