"I don't think I actually played that well": Two nine-darters, 24 consecutive legs but more in the locker for Ross Smith
PDC
Ross Smith thrashed Brendan Dolan 8-0 in the final of Players Championship 16 but it wasn't all for the former European Champion who made history winning 24 legs in a row to seal the title.
ADVERTISEMENT
A record breaking day and one of the best runs in history on the ProTour, but Ross Smith still wasn't 100% happy with his display and still sees more in the tank. A mark of a player always wanting to grow and improve.
From the last three matches of the Chris Landman tie, he didn't lose a leg for the last three matches and it became when as opposed to if he would win 8-0 against Dolan in the final.
"Honestly I don't think I actually played that well today. I feel like sometimes luck is on your side. The nine-darters are great, I think they're a bit overrated mind you I'd like the pin. It's a nice little trophy but it's winning the trophy that counts," said Smith post final.
"Playing these guys I don't think they've turned up as well to be fair, I think I've got a bit lucky in those games."
"I want to win all the time who doesn't. I've got the little plaques at home with the scoresheets, they are my trophies whether they're Players Championship or not they mean a lot to me. I'm going to add another to the wall now.
"It's another incentive when I'm at home practicing like let's get another one. Every year I want to win something. I know I can be one of the best in the world, consistency is a big thing but I know I can win tournaments on a regular basis."
ADVERTISEMENT
Now he heads into the World Matchplay currently as a top 16 seed albeit he would likely encounter Luke Humphries so said it does more harm than good sometimes.
"You don't want to be going in at 15 or 16 at any tournament. I heard Chris Mason say something in an interview saying that it ruined him playing Taylor as he was always around the 16 mark. I know what I can do and I'm not afraid of playing anyone."
But he also doesn't want to rest on his laurels and said that he doesn't want to be seen as a one major wonder with desires to win multiple.
"I don't want to be somebody retiring in 10 years time like oh yeah I've won one major and being called a one-hit wonder. I want two, three, four and that's what I will do. I'll just keep working hard at my game whether another major comes this year or year after that. I know every game I go into I give 100%." If you've won a major, you can win anything."
"I don't think I played too well today!" 😳
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 13, 2025
Two nine-darters, 24 straight legs to seal the title but Ross Smith still thinks there is plenty more to come from him... pic.twitter.com/oE3Cz7r9Qg
ADVERTISEMENT
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026