Ross Smith stormed to his 10th PDC ranking title with an emphatic 8-5 victory over William O'Connor in the final of Players Championship 20 in Milton Keynes. The Englishman, who admitted he was 'buzzing' after the win, averaged a whopping 107.01 while hitting six maximums and pinning eight from 11 doubles to cap a dominant day at the oche.
Smith's path to the final saw him defeat Cor Dekker (6-3), Dominik Gruellich (6-0), Ian White with a 108.59 average (6-1), Cristo Reyes (6-2), Andy Boulton (6-2) and Henry Coates (7-6) before facing O'Connor. Despite a relatively easy day aside from the semi-final, Smith's level had dropped in the most recent rounds, but he corrected that with a magnificent showing in the final.
Reflecting on his milestone, Smith said: 'I'm buzzing, to be fair. I'm in double figures now, so you know what I mean? It's something that, 10 years ago or before that, I'd never have thought I'd achieve. So yeah, happy as Larry.' The victory marks his third PDC ranking title of 2026, adding to his PC5 win and International Darts Open triumph. 'Not only the last couple of weeks. We're in June now and I've won three bloody titles this year, plus I was winner on the European Tour as well,' he exclaimed. 'So no, I'm having a great year. I can't grumble at all and I'm buzzing. I just wish this cold would bugger off! Apart from that, honestly, I'm knackered, but I'm absolutely buzzing.'
Smith was surprised to learn he averaged over 107, commenting: 'It didn't feel like it. I mean, I say this all the time, but it genuinely didn't. Even Andrew, who was marking, said it didn't feel like it either. I was like, 'No mate, I agree with you.'' He also praised his finishing, saying: 'Bloody hell, yeah. I mean, Willie was with me for a lot of that final despite the fact I was averaging quite a bit more than him. I had to dig deep at times.' Smith acknowledged O'Connor's quality, noting: 'Obviously, he smashed me yesterday with a 108 average, so it's almost payback, isn't it? I'd rather win the final than win the quarter-final, so I'm really happy to beat Willie because he's a fantastic player. He's an absolute gentleman as well.'
Smith's spot in the top 16 is safe by around £38,000 to Wessel Nijman in 16th, with Smith sitting in 14th. He hopes to push further up the order, maybe even cracking the top 10. 'Without a shadow of a doubt, you've got to give yourself goals and keep pushing and pushing, otherwise there's no point. My main goal is to stay in the top 16 because I know how important it is for the rankings,' he said. Looking ahead to the World Matchplay, where he reached the quarter-finals two years ago but suffered a 10-5 first-round defeat last year to eventual semi-finalist Josh Rock, Smith added: 'Yeah, it gives me great confidence, to be fair. But it's a different game. Playing on the floor compared to playing on stage, whether it's a European Tour or a major, they're completely different. But no, I feel really good. I can't grumble. Why wouldn't I? I've won three titles this year leading into it. All I know is that I've got to go there feeling as fresh as I can. I'll give it my all, like I always do, and hopefully the results will be good.'
