The 38-year-old produced a comprehensive performance in the final, averaging 95.65 and striking four maximums to secure the £15,000 top prize. He averaged 100.13 across the day.
“I played really solid today," reflected Searle, whose victory lifts him to fourth in the 2026 Players Championship standings.
“Averages wise, my best was against Raymond (van Barneveld), and feeling wise it felt like the worst, which was a little bit odd.
“February and March time is normally my time of year when I win things, and if I can win one or two more to break new ground this year, I will do that.”
“I’ve had a bit more attention this year so far. It’s been really good," added Searle. "I’ve been able to raise awareness for the Cure ADOA Foundation, but motivation wise, I haven’t been practising.
“I would like to win a European Tour; that would be the next goal for me; to prove that I can win something on the big stage would be good.”
Searle set the tone early, averaging 101.50 in a 6-2 win over Thomas Lovely before dispatching Darius Labanauskas 6-1. He then beat Jimmy van Schie and, indeed, produced his best display of the day against Van Barneveld, averaging 104.50.
Further victories over Charlie Manby (6-3) and Scottish number one Gary Anderson (7-3) carried him into the final.
There, Searle raced into a 3-0 lead with winning legs of 15, 14 and 13 darts. Soutar briefly threatened a response, but 'Heavy Metal' reasserted control, taking three of the next four legs to move within one of the title before closing out with a 17-darter.
Soutar had impressed en route to the final, averaging 105.03 in his opening win over Tavis Dudeney, and came through three last-leg deciders during the day, including a narrow semi-final victory over Keane Barry.
Barry had earlier delivered the highest average of the tournament (109.43) in a win over Krzysztof Ratajski, and also accounted for Michael Smith and Stephen Bunting before his run was halted.
Anderson reached the semi-finals, but has not won a ranking title since March 2025, while Bunting and Michael van Gerwen both exited in the fourth round.
Results
Last 16
Ryan Searle 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Charlie Manby 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
Gary Anderson 6-3 James Hurrell
Chris Dobey 6-4 Cristo Reyes
Keane Barry 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Jeffrey Sparidaans 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright 6-3 Maik Kuivenhoven
Alan Soutar 6-3 Alexander Merkx
Quarter-finals
Ryan Searle 6-3 Charlie Manby
Gary Anderson 6-2 Chris Dobey
Keane Barry 6-3 Jeffrey Sparidaans
Alan Soutar 6-1 Peter Wright
Semi-finals
Ryan Searle 7-3 Gary Anderson
Alan Soutar 7-6 Keane Barry
Final
Ryan Searle 8-3 Alan Soutar