An emotional Ross Smith triumphs in Players Championship 29 as he defeats Josh Rock in a last-leg decider

Ross Smith has had a difficult week, pulling out of the Swiss Darts Trophy due to a personal matter. However, he has put that behind him to win PC 29 against Josh Rock 8-7, winning the title with a ton+ checkout.

Smith had some standout performances throughout the day, as he overcame Berry van Peer (6-4), Jamai van der Herik (6-2), Lukas Wenig (6-1), Michael van Gerwen (6-0), Ryan Meikle (6-4), and Wessel Nijman (7-3).

Rock started the day slowly but progressively improved throughout, pinning a nine-darter en route to the final. He defeated Tavis Dudeney (6-1), Andy Boulton (6-3), Wesley Plaisier (6-3), Dirk van Duijvenbode (6-3), Danny Noppert (6-2), and Gary Anderson (7-4) to reach the final for the third time in 2025.

Rocky took the early advantage, breaking the Smudger throw with a 100 checkout, and survived a miss dart on the bull from his opponent to double his lead. Smith got his first leg on the board with a 13-dart hold of throw, before missing double eight for a 133 checkout to level, but manages to clean up to level.

The pair traded holds to leave the score at 3-3, before Rock misses double 10 for a 140 checkout and a break. Smith nicked back the lead but was once more pegged back by the World Cup winner, who took out 90 in two. The Northern Irishman followed this up with a sublime 121 checkout on double 14 to steal what looked like a definitive break. An eleven darter from Rocky moved him one away and had the chance to win the match with a big fish but failed to get it started. Smudger kept the tie alive with a clinical dart at double four, before finding the same target to force an exhilarating last-leg decider.

With Rock leaving himself on tops, it felt like Smith had to take out the 118 he had left himself on. Finding the treble 20 with his second dart, he brilliantly pinned double 19 to clinch his sixth Pro Tour title, and second of the year. It also sees him rise two places up to 12th in the world.