Ross Smith, affectionately known as ‘Smudger’, delivered a spectacular performance to claim his third PDC title of the year at Players Championship 20. Despite many top players being absent, Smith showcased incredible form, culminating in a dominant victory in the final against William O’Connor. The tournament was also marked by a series of high-scoring matches, stunning upsets, and emerging talents, proving that professional darts always delivers excitement, regardless of the lineup. Smith’s triumph was secured with a phenomenal 107.01 average in the final, cementing his status as a formidable force on the Pro Tour.
Ross Smith’s Triumphant Path to Victory
Players Championship 20 saw 14 top names withdraw, yet the competition remained fierce. It was Ross Smith who ultimately rose above the rest, demonstrating exceptional skill throughout the day. His impressive journey to the title included defeating:
- Cor Dekker
- Dominik Gruellich
- Ian White
- Cristo Reyes
- Andy Boulton
- Henry Coates
- William O’Connor in the final
After securing his tenth PDC title, Smith expressed his elation: “I’ve won three bloody titles this year and a runner up as well in a Euro Tour, so I’m having a great year and I can’t grumble at all. I’m knackered but I’m absolutely buzzing.” His consistent success this year highlights his growing presence at the top of the darts world.
Beyond the Champion: Other Standout Performances
While Smith was the ultimate victor, several other players delivered memorable performances, showcasing the depth of talent on the PDC circuit.
Round 1 Brilliance
- Daryl Gurney impressed with a 103.13 average in a tough 6-4 win against Gabriel Clemens.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode also started strong, averaging 102.34 to defeat Filip Bereza 6-4.
- Rob Cross and Mike de Decker both secured first-round victories with averages over 100.
- In one of the day’s best games, Luke Woodhouse (102.90 average) edged out Challenge Tour rising star Jack Tweddell (103.05 average) in a thrilling 6-5 decider.
- Chris Dobey posted an exceptional 104.95 average in his dominant 6-2 win over Daniel Ayres.
High Averages and Early Exits
The second round (Top 64) continued to deliver high-quality darts:
- William O’Connor showcased his form with a convincing 6-1 victory over fellow Irishman Shane McGuirk, averaging 101.52.
- German talent Kai Gotthardt caused a stir by delivering a stunning 6-0 whitewash against the strong Dirk van Duijvenbode.
- Wessel Nijman was particularly impressive, averaging 105.77 in a 6-2 win against Connor Scutt.
- Danny Noppert also advanced with a strong 102.79 average, defeating Tom Sykes 6-3.
The momentum carried into the Top 32, where more high averages were recorded:
- Wessel Nijman continued his excellent form, averaging an even higher 106.34 to secure a 6-3 win over Tom Bissell.
- William O’Connor delivered another dominant performance, whitewashing Martin Schindler 6-0 with a 103.66 average.
- Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski also achieved an average over 100 in his 6-3 victory against Daryl Gurney.
- Despite averaging 101.40, Players Championship 19 winner Jeffrey De Graaf was eliminated by Danny Noppert in a tight 6-4 match.
- Ross Smith himself delivered the highest average of the day in this round, a stunning 108.59, in his 6-1 demolition of Ian White.
Major Upsets and Rising Stars
The later stages of the tournament were not short on drama, with several established players falling to unexpected challengers.
- Henry Coates, a Challenge Tour call-up, had a dream run. He pulled off a significant upset by defeating Dutch number two, Danny Noppert, 6-2, averaging over 99.
- Coates continued his remarkable journey by then overcoming “The Rockstar” Joe Cullen in a last-leg decider, setting up a semi-final clash with Ross Smith.
- Richard Veenstra also surprised, defeating Polish number one Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 to reach his first semi-final of the year. His impressive run, however, ended with a 7-2 loss to William O’Connor.
- Henry Coates’ fairytale birthday run ultimately concluded in the semi-final, where he narrowly lost to Ross Smith in a final-leg thriller, missing crucial darts at tops.
The Grand Finale: Smith vs. O’Connor
The final promised a thrilling encounter between Ross Smith and William O’Connor, and it certainly delivered. Smith started strong with an 11-dart leg, but O’Connor quickly responded, taking the next two legs. Smith, however, displayed his composure, leveling the match and then breaking O’Connor’s throw to establish a crucial two-leg lead at 4-2.
From there, the game saw a series of holds, with Smith maintaining his advantage. As the score reached 6-4 in Smith’s favour, O’Connor managed to pull one back. But ‘Smudger’ was relentless, holding his throw easily to move within one leg of the title. The decisive moment came in the 13th leg, where Ross Smith secured a break of O’Connor’s throw to clinch the Players Championship 20 title.
Smith’s performance in the final was nothing short of extraordinary. He averaged a staggering 107.01 and hit an incredible 8 out of 11 attempts at a double (72.7%), showcasing both his scoring power and his clinical finishing under pressure.
What’s Next for the Darts Season?
Ross Smith’s victory at Players Championship 20 marks a significant milestone in his career, adding another Pro Tour title to his name. The Players Championship season continues in two weeks with events 21 and 22 in Wigan, as the darts world rapidly approaches the prestigious World Matchplay tournament. This win positions Smith as a strong contender to watch in upcoming major events.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
