Ross Smith leads the way, who are the PDC's premier 180 hitters? Does power scoring indicate success?

There has long been an assumption within the darting world that more 180s naturally lead to more victories. While that can often be the case, it’s important to recognise that scoring power isn’t the only factor in becoming a consistent high-level performer.

Take Jonny Clayton, for example — he’s known for being a clinical finisher, often stepping up at the key moments to close out legs. Striking the right balance in your game is a challenge many players face. While strong scoring lays the foundation, it’s the ability to capitalise on those positions and turn them into wins that truly separates the best from the rest.

On 21st June, Darts Orakel released a list of the top five 180 hitters in Players Championship and European Tour events over the past two years — with several notable names included. While this list doesn’t paint the full picture of a player’s success, it does highlight those with the potential to become future superstars, provided they can find greater consistency in closing out legs.

Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock comes in at fifth place on this list — and it’s no surprise to anyone who watched the recent World Cup of Darts. Rock was in inspired form throughout the tournament, firing in a remarkable number of maximums and ultimately helping lead his nation, alongside Daryl Gurney, to victory in Frankfurt.

As of the 21st of June, Josh Rock had hit an impressive 902 maximums, underlining his incredible ability to rack up big scores at a rapid pace. Alongside that, he’s claimed a couple of Players Championship titles across 2024 and 2025, as well as a European Tour victory in 2024.

For Rock, there appears to be a clear link between his power scoring and his overall performance levels. Over the past 12 months, the Northern Irishman has posted a checkout percentage of 40.21%, showing that finishing isn’t a major weakness in his game. With that balance of scoring and finishing, he could soon find himself at the very top of the sport.

Following a disappointing Premier League campaign, Stephen Bunting will be the first to admit he fell short of expectations. Despite often averaging higher than his opponents, he struggled to convert that into wins, with his scoring power occasionally falling short against the very best in the game.

However, Bunting’s form in other events tells a different story. Over the past two years, he’s hit 936 maximums across Players Championship and Euro Tour events, a stat that reflects his growing consistency. This has translated into titles too, with a Players Championship win and a Euro Tour victory already under his belt in 2025. Add to that two World Series titles this year, and Bunting looks to be turning a corner.

While his Premier League results were underwhelming, the stats suggest he’s been somewhat unlucky. His checkout percentage of 40.34% ranks 28th in the world — far from poor, especially compared to some of the sport’s elite. As he targets the rest of the season, Bunting may well be on the verge of a breakthrough, aiming to build on his Masters title and claim further Major success.

The current world number 11, Dave Chisnall, has claimed third place on this list with an impressive tally of 977 maximums. Now closing in on the 1,000 mark, this stat is a clear testament to Chisnall’s consistency and longevity on tour. Despite not yet securing a Major title, his staggering number of 180s is an achievement in itself. Having featured in my list of the best players to never win a Major, Chisnall’s talent is undeniable — and if he can maintain this level of scoring, the future looks promising for the experienced pro.

Over the past two years, Dave Chisnall has picked up two European Tour titles and two Players Championship victories, using his impressive scoring power to secure wins. Still hovering around the top ten in the PDC Order of Merit, there’s every reason to believe Chisnall can push his way back into the sport’s elite.

Unlike the other two players mentioned in this list, however, Chisnall’s checkout percentage currently sits below 40%, meaning he doesn’t rank inside the world’s top 32 in that category. If he can sharpen up on the outer ring, it could be the key to unlocking even greater success in the near future.

Our first player on the list to surpass the 1000 mark, Dirk van Duijvenbode has long been known for his explosive power scoring and lively stage presence. When the Dutchman is at his best, he’s a thrilling watch — peppering the treble 20 and finishing legs with big checkouts. However, recent injury struggles have meant we’ve seen fewer fireworks than we’ve come to expect from the part-time aubergine farmer.

Despite this, Van Duijvenbode has racked up an astonishing 1,040 maximums over the past two years. Remarkably, that figure might even be seen as slightly underwhelming given the expectations placed on him when he first broke through. Notably, Dirk hasn’t captured a ranking title in that time, again showing that scoring alone doesn’t always equate to tournament victories.

His checkout percentage of 38.83% is the lowest among those in this top-five list and may go some way in explaining why his scoring hasn’t translated into more consistent success in ranked events.

If you’re a darts fan, then you’ll already be familiar with the incredible ability of Ross Smith. From his relentless power scoring to hitting nine-darters, Smith has demonstrated his wide-ranging talent time and again. When he’s playing at his best, there’s no doubt he can be a real challenge for any of the world’s top players.

Topping this list with an incredible 1,099 maximums, Ross Smith is by far the most prolific 180 hitter in the game right now. He’s repeatedly shown glimpses of being a true star in the making — someone who could break through in a big way if he learns to capitalise on key moments in matches. Smith has lost in three European Tour finals over the past two years, but given his consistent power scoring, it feels inevitable that he’ll get over that line soon.

During the same period, he’s picked up two Players Championship titles, proving that finals aren’t a stumbling block he can’t overcome. With a checkout percentage of 40.85%, there’s strong evidence to suggest all parts of his game are close to clicking.

If he continues on this trajectory, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Smith push for a Premier League spot and compete for Major titles once again. The progress required seems minimal — just a few marginal gains — and if he makes them, another Major title could well be on the horizon within the next two-year cycle. Ross Smith is definitely one to watch.