The Paradox of Victory: Ross Smith’s Controversial Triumph
Ross Smith’s recent victory at the World Series Finals in Amsterdam, where he conquered top players like Gerwyn Price and secured a hefty £100,000, has ignited a fiery debate in the darts world. Despite his stunning performance and a trophy in hand, the win came in a ‘non-ranking’ event. This raises a crucial question: does such a triumph truly solidify a player’s standing, or is it merely an exhibition, especially when compared to similar non-ranking wins by stars like Luke Littler? This article dives into the heart of darts’ biggest paradox, exploring why a win can feel both monumental and insignificant simultaneously.
Ross Smith’s Unlikely Path to Glory
Fresh off his win, Ross Smith himself encapsulated the bizarre nature of his achievement: “I can’t win a game on the World Series, but I win the final.” This ironic statement was entirely true. Smith had faced early exits in the only two World Series events he played earlier in the season – in Australia and New Zealand. By all conventional measures, he had no business being at the prestigious AFAS Live. Yet, he not only showed up but dominated, defeating world-class opponent Gerwyn Price 11-5 in the final, pocketing a significant £100,000.
Smith’s performance in the final was undeniable: he averaged an incredible 103.89, landed 11 maximums (180s), and hit 46 percent of his doubles, winning the last six legs consecutively. This was a man who had previously reached World No. 9 and won the 2022 European Championship, making this victory feel like a career pinnacle. Yet, the celebratory mood was quickly overshadowed by a lingering question: did this win truly count?
The “Non-Ranking” Dilemma
The core of the controversy lies in the designation of events like the World Series Finals as “non-ranking.” This means that while players compete for substantial prize money and a prestigious trophy, their performance has zero impact on their world ranking (Order of Merit). For many purists and fans, this distinction reduces the event’s significance, viewing it more as a high-stakes exhibition rather than a professional competition with lasting implications.
Key aspects of non-ranking events:
- No Impact on World Rankings: A win, however impressive, does not move a player up the global standings.
- Significant Prize Money: Ross Smith’s £100,000 prize is a substantial reward, comparable to many ranking events.
- Fan Perception: Often seen as less serious than ranking tournaments, despite the elite level of play.
The Luke Littler Precedent: A Double Standard?
The debate around non-ranking events becomes even more complex when considering the recent success of darts sensation Luke Littler. Before his trip to Amsterdam, Littler had won six premier events in the season, two of which – the Premier League and the World Cup – were also non-ranking. Yet, these victories were universally lauded and celebrated as monumental achievements, cementing his generational talent. No one dismissed Littler’s trophies as “plastic” or his wins as mere “exhibitions.” His thrilling 11-10 victory over Luke Humphries, where he averaged 111.67, was hailed as a classic for weeks.
This contrast begs the question: do we disregard non-ranking titles, or do we accord them the respect given to ranking titles? And should that respect depend on *who* wins them? The inconsistency in how these events are perceived, often hinging on a player’s star power, highlights a fundamental flaw in how the sport communicates its own structure.
Official Recognition vs. Reality: The Grand Slam Connection
Despite the “non-ranking” label, there’s evidence that these events hold considerable weight within the sport:
- Broadcaster Classification: Broadcasters like Sky Sports frequently refer to these events as “majors.” They listed Gerwyn Price with seven PDC majors, including the 2022 World Series Finals, and described Smith’s win as his second PDC major after the 2022 European Championship.
- Financial Parity: The £100,000 prize Smith won is on par with the prize money for other universally recognized ranking majors like the World Masters.
- Grand Slam Qualification: Perhaps most tellingly, finalists from the World Series of Darts Finals are granted automatic qualification slots for the Grand Slam of Darts – a prestigious £1 million ranking event. If a major ranking tournament recognizes a non-ranking event enough to grant its winners automatic entry, it strongly suggests that “non-ranking” definitely doesn’t mean “doesn’t matter.”
The Flaw in the System: Qualification Path
While the quality of play in these events is undeniable, critics do have a strong point regarding the qualification path for the World Series Finals. The 24 players are drawn from World Series rankings, top non-qualified players from the world rankings, and Tour Card qualifiers. This flexible system means that a player who performed poorly throughout the World Series tour, or only played a single event, could still make it to the finale. This loose qualification process, though offering flexibility, can be seen as undermining the event’s overall prestige, making it less surprising that a top player like Gary Anderson reportedly snubbed his invite.
However, this structural flaw does not diminish the high level of competition on display. Amsterdam hosted an elite field including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Danny Noppert, Jonny Clayton, and Gerwyn Price. The intense 10-4 loss Littler suffered at the hands of Clayton in the quarter-finals is a testament to the brutal competitiveness. An event where the best player on the planet can be decisively knocked out is far from an exhibition.
The Root Cause: PDC’s Ambiguity
The heart of this recurring debate lies in a simple, yet embarrassing, fact: the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) has failed to provide a clear, official definition of what constitutes a “major” tournament.
- Fans have one interpretation.
- Broadcasters have another.
- The ranking system has a third.
This lack of clarity means that every time a player outside the usual top contenders wins a significant event, the same argument about its legitimacy resurfaces. This ongoing cycle is not only tiresome but also deeply unfair to players like Ross Smith, who pour their heart and soul into these competitions.
Smith’s Future: An Opportunity for Resolution
At 37, with a career high of World No. 9 and a European Championship title, Ross Smith has proven his mettle. His World Series Finals victory, his fifth trophy of the year, felt earned and deserved. To tell him, in such a cruel manner, that it “doesn’t count” despite his brilliant performance is unjust.
The upcoming World Grand Prix on September 28th in Leicester offers Smith a golden opportunity to silence the critics. This event is unanimously recognized as a major ranking tournament. Should Smith have a deep run or even win it all, he could definitively prove his standing and, perhaps, help bring some clarity to this strange darting dilemma. His Amsterdam win was indeed strange – losing every World Series match only to win the one that mattered. What’s stranger is that days later, we’re still debating whether it mattered at all.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
