Ross Smith makes substantial jump in alternative Power Rankings, Van Gerwen remains at one

Ross Smith won the first major of his career last weekend with the European Championship. As a result, he rose to 20th place in the PDC Order of Merit.

On the alternative Power Rankings, a world ranking maintained by PDC statistician Christopher Kempf, Smith even rises to sixth place. On this ranking, which compiles the performances of the past year, you get points depending, among other things, on how far you get in a tournament and also which higher-ranked players you beat. You also get many more points for a major than for a Euro Tour or Players Championship.

Despite his quick elimination at the European Championship, Michael van Gerwen continues to lead these rankings. Mighty Mike is still well ahead of Luke Humphries and Peter Wright. Damon Heta is in fourth place and Michael Smith, last Sunday's losing finalist at the European Championship, is fifth.