Darts Drama in Leicester: Ross Smith Dominates Pro Tour 5 Amidst Star Absences
Ross Smith, affectionately known as ‘Smudger,’ has impressively secured his seventh career Pro Tour title, triumphing at Players Championship 5 in Leicester. In a spectacular final, Smith delivered a dominant performance to defeat Chris Dobey 8-2. This tournament was marked by the absence of several high-profile darts stars, which paved the way for thrilling upsets and standout runs, including Dobey’s journey to the final where he even hit a rare nine-darter.
The Fifth Players Championship of 2026
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Pro Tour continued its 2026 season with Players Championship 5, held in the vibrant city of Leicester. This event brought together a strong field of darts players, all competing for crucial ranking points and the coveted title. As always, the Pro Tour promised intense competition and unexpected outcomes.
A Field Without Giants: Notable Absences
One of the most talked-about aspects of this tournament was the significant number of high-profile players who chose not to participate. Their absence undoubtedly reshaped the competition, creating unique opportunities for others to step into the spotlight. Among the notable absentees were:
- Luke Humphries: The reigning champion from the previous week’s Pro Tour event.
- Luke Littler: The teenage sensation who has rapidly become a global darts phenomenon.
- Michael van Gerwen: A multi-time world champion and one of the sport’s most dominant figures.
- Gian van Veen, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, James Wade, Wessel Nijman: Other prominent players missing from the lineup.
This opened up the draw considerably, setting the stage for less-fancied players to make deep runs and challenge for the title.
Early Shocks and Impressive Starts
The initial rounds were filled with drama, as several top seeds faced unexpected early exits:
- Gerwyn Price (‘The Iceman’): Endured a swift first-round defeat to Adam Lipscombe, echoing his early departure from the previous week’s event.
- Jonny Clayton (‘The Ferret’): Another Premier League star, he was eliminated in the first round by Connor Scutt.
- Josh Rock: The highly-rated young talent also bowed out quickly, losing to James Hurrell.
Amidst these upsets, some players made a commanding impression from the very beginning. Cam Crabtree recorded the highest average of the first round, hitting an astonishing nearly 107 points per visit.
Chris Dobey’s Remarkable Journey to the Final
Chris Dobey, known as ‘Hollywood,’ embarked on a truly memorable path to his second Pro Tour final of 2026. His journey was characterized by consistent high-level play and a moment of pure darting brilliance:
- Round 1: Defeated Cristo Reyes.
- Round 2: Overcame Ricky Evans, remarkably hitting a sensational 9-darter – the ultimate perfect leg in darts, achieved with just nine throws.
- Later Rounds: Maintained his impressive form, securing victories against strong opponents including Kevin Doets and Danny Noppert.
- Quarter-Finals: Dominated Christian Kist with a convincing 6-0 whitewash.
- Semi-Finals: Secured his spot in the final by beating Joe Cullen 7-4.
Dobey’s performance throughout the tournament underscored his growing stature in the sport, proving he is a serious contender.
Ross Smith’s Relentless March to Victory
On the other side of the draw, Ross Smith, the 2022 European Champion, demonstrated why he is a formidable force in darts. ‘Smudger’ navigated a challenging field with clinical precision and superb finishing:
- Key Victories: Smith overcame notable players such as Justin Hood and former World Champion Michael Smith.
- Quarter-Finals: Defeated the in-form Dave Chisnall with a solid 6-3 performance.
- Semi-Finals: Secured his place in the final by dispatching Karel Sedlacek 7-4.
Smith’s consistent scoring and accurate checkouts paved his way to another major final appearance.
The Grand Finale: Smith’s Dominance
The championship match pitted the impressive Chris Dobey against the relentless Ross Smith. While Dobey had been brilliant throughout the tournament, the final belonged unequivocally to Smith. ‘Smudger’ exploded out of the blocks, winning the first five legs in quick succession. During this blistering start, he maintained an average of over 109, leaving Dobey struggling to keep pace.
Dobey managed to claw back two legs, briefly hinting at a potential comeback, but Smith quickly reasserted his authority. He closed out the match with a dominant 8-2 victory, securing his seventh career Pro Tour title. This win further solidifies Smith’s reputation as a top-tier player capable of delivering under immense pressure.
Tournament At A Glance: Key Results
Quarter-Finals
- Chris Dobey 6-0 Christian Kist
- Joe Cullen 6-2 Niels Zonneveld
- Ross Smith 6-3 Dave Chisnall
- Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Alan Soutar
Semi-Finals
- Chris Dobey 7-4 Joe Cullen
- Ross Smith 7-4 Karel Sedlacek
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
