Just twelve days after claiming his first senior PDC ranking title, Woodhouse etched his name into European Tour history by securing the £35,000 winner’s prize at the Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open.
The former European Championship semi-finalist delivered a string of clinical performances throughout the weekend before overcoming Joyce in a high-quality final, becoming the eighth different European Tour winner of the season.
The Englishman kicked off his weekend with a comfortable 6-3 victory over Andrew Gilding, before racing past Cameron Menzies in the last 16, beating the Scot 6-1 to book his place in the quarter-finals.
Woodhouse swept aside European Tour debutant Jimmy van Schie to end the Dutchman’s hopes of advancing any further in Kiel, averaging just over 93 on his way to the last four.
The 37-year-old then dispatched of Ricky Evans in the semi-finals, beating the Kettering-born star 7-2 to set up a showdown with Joyce in Sunday’s showpiece.
Woodhouse started the stronger of the two in the final, as he raced into a 3-0 lead, pinning a brilliant 140 checkout to confirm a break of throw in the second leg.
Joyce fought back with consecutive legs of his own, before trading blows for the next three legs as Woodhouse led 5-3.
The Bewdley-born star then won three out of the next four legs to seal the win, pinning checkouts of 76 and then a superb 160 to cap off a landmark triumph.
“It’s like buses. You wait for one for ages, then two come along at once!”Woodhouse explained, after picking up his second ranking title in just two weeks.
“That was such a tough game. I don’t think me and Ryan played our best darts, but I will take it 100%.
“I felt like this was a good chance for both of us and I didn’t want to let it pass me by, so I tried to be ultra-focused and luckily today I came out on top.
Woodhouse, who now sits sixth on the ProTour rankings following his brace of titles in recent weeks, is hungry for further success as he continues his upward trajectory.
“I’m really enjoying my darts at the moment, and to win this is unbelievable. It's absolutely massive," he added.
“I’m hoping I can kick on now. The World Matchplay is just around the corner, so hopefully my confidence can carry into that.”
SUNDAY MAY 31st
ROUND THREE
Jimmy van Schie 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki
Luke Woodhouse 6-1 Cameron Menzies
Kevin Doets 6-3 Justin Hood
Ricky Evans 6-4 James Wade
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Ryan Searle
Damon Heta 6-5 William O'Connor
Ryan Joyce 6-4 Niko Springer
Dave Chisnall 6-5 Gian van Veen
QUARTERS
Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Jimmy van Schie
Ricky Evans 6-3 Kevin Doets
Damon Heta 6-2 Wessel Nijman
Ryan Joyce 6-1 Dave Chisnall