Players Championship 20: Ross Smith beats William O’Connor in Milton Keynes final to claim 10th career title | Darts News

Ross Smith secured his 10th PDC ranking title with victory in Players Championship 20 in Milton Keynes on Wednesday.

Smith averaged 107.01 and pinned 73 per cent of his attempts at double to defeat Ireland’s William O’Connor 8-5 in the final to continue his terrific start to 2026.

The 37-year-old also prevailed in Players Championship 5 back in February, before celebrating his maiden European Tour title with a memorable triumph at last month’s International Darts Open.

“I’m buzzing to be fair,” Smith said. “Willie is a fantastic player and an absolute gentleman. He smashed me yesterday [in PC19] with a 108 average, so that was almost payback there.

“I never would have thought I’d get to double figures [in PDC titles], so I’m really happy.

“We’re in June now and I’ve already won three titles and been runner-up in another European Tour event, so I’m having a great year.

“For me it’s just about staying in that top 16 and pushing towards the higher end of it. You’ve got to give yourself goals and keep pushing, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Following a resounding opening round win against Cor Dekker, Smith whitewashed Dominik Gruellich before dispatching Ian White 6-1, averaging 101 and 108 in those respective ties.

Smith then registered another ton-topping average in a 6-2 thumping of Cristo Reyes, before overcoming Andy Boulton by the same scoreline in advancing to the semi-finals.

However, he was then forced to survive three match darts in a remarkable last-four tie against Henry Coates, who fought back brilliantly from 6-3 down.

This set up a decisive clash against O’Connor, who ran out a 6-2 winner when the pair met in the last 16 of Tuesday’s Players Championship 19.

Smith kicked off proceedings with an 11-dart break of throw, before O’Connor replied with back-to-back legs, but the Englishman won the next three in 14, 15 and 13 darts to surge 4-2 ahead.

O’Connor refused to relent, but Smith was proving infallible on his own throw, holding with legs of 12, 11 and 13 darts to lead 7-5, before converting a clinical two-dart 84 finish to take the title.

2026 Players Championship 20: Results

Last 16
William O’Connor 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Dave Chisnall 6-5 Rob Owen
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Mervyn King
Richard Veenstra 6-5 Callan Rydz
Ross Smith 6-2 Cristo Reyes
Andy Boulton 6-4 Mickey Mansell
Joe Cullen 6-4 Chris Dobey
Henry Coates 6-2 Danny Noppert

Quarter-Finals
William O’Connor 6-4 Dave Chisnall
Richard Veenstra 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Ross Smith 6-2 Andy Boulton
Henry Coates 6-5 Joe Cullen

Semi-Finals
William O’Connor 7-2 Richard Veenstra
Ross Smith 7-6 Henry Coates

Final
Ross Smith 8-5 William O’Connor

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