In the UK Open Qualifiers Whitlock wore glasses in a tournament for the first time. In the second qualifier he got to the semi-finals before losing 6–4 to Van Gerwen. Whitlock lost 9–3 to Benito van de Pas in the fourth round of the UK Open and 10–6 to Michael Smith in the first round of the World Matchplay. In October, at the 18th Players Championship Whitlock ended Michael van Gerwen's eight ranking tournament winning streak by beating him 6–3. He then overcame Justin Pipe and Steve West both 6–1 and recovered from 3–0 down against Ronny Huybrechts in the final to win 6–5. It was Whitlock's first title in over two years and he said afterwards that it was just the start of him getting back to his best.