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

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

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

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

“I’m buzzing to be fair,” Smith said. “Willie is a great player and an absolute gentleman. He crushed me yesterday (at PC19) with a 108 average, so that was almost payback.

“I never thought I would get double figures (in the PDC title), so I’m really happy.

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

“For me it’s just about being in that top 16 and pushing for the high end of it. You have to target yourself and keep pushing, and that’s what I’m doing.”

After an impressive opening-round win over Core Decker, Smith whitewashed Dominik Gruelich and dispatched Ian White 6-1, averaging 101 and 108.

Smith registered another ton-topping average with a 6-2 thumping of Cristo Reis before beating Andy Bolton on the same scoreline to advance to the semi-finals.

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

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

Smith opened proceedings with an 11-dart break throw, before O’Connor hit back, but the Englishman won the next three darts at 14, 15 and 13 to go 4-2 up.

O’Connor refused to relent, but Smith proved accurate with his own throws, holding legs of 12, 11 and 13 darts to lead 7-5, before converting a clinical two-dart 84 finish to clinch 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 Bolton 6-4 Mickey Mansell
Joe Cullen 6-4 Chris Dobe
Henry Coates 6-2 Danny Knoppert

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

semi-final
William O’Connor 7-2 Richard Veenstra
Ross Smith 7-6 Henry Coates

the final
Ross Smith 8-5 William O’Connor

Sky Sports The home of darts is still to come this year with the World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and World Darts Championship. Now contract-free stream darts and more great games – cancel anytime.