Ross Smith Clinches Emotional Second ProTour Title of 2025 After Thrilling Final Against Josh Rock
Ross Smith Clinches Emotional Second ProTour Title of 2025 After Thrilling Final Against Josh Rock
Ross Smith produced a remarkable display of resilience and class to claim his second PDC ProTour title of the year, battling back to defeat Josh Rock in a dramatic final at Players Championship 29 in Leicester. The Kent star, who had recently withdrawn from the Swiss Darts Trophy due to family matters, returned to action with a performance that combined heavy scoring, composure under pressure, and emotional determination.
Staged at the Mattioli Arena, the midweek tournament saw Smith put together one of his most complete runs of the season. Across the day, he notched up four averages over the 100 mark and demonstrated his ability to dig deep when it mattered most — particularly in the final. Trailing 6–4 and then 7–5 against Rock, Smith mounted a superb comeback, sealing victory with a brilliant 118 checkout in the deciding leg. The win sparked emotional celebrations as the former European Champion embraced Rock after hitting double 19 to wrap up the title.
The triumph adds to Smith’s earlier success at Players Championship 16 back in May, making 2025 one of his most successful campaigns on the floor circuit to date. His run in Leicester began in emphatic fashion, averaging 104 in a confident opening win over Berry van Peer. He then dispatched Jamai van den Herik and Lukas Wenig, dropping only three legs combined, to move smoothly through the early rounds.
Smith’s standout performance arguably came in the last 16, where he produced a sensational 106 average to whitewash Michael van Gerwen. That victory was followed by a composed win over Ryan Meikle in the quarter-finals and a hard-fought triumph against Wessel Nijman in the semi-finals to secure his spot in the decider.
Josh Rock’s path to the final was equally eye-catching. The Northern Irishman delivered the day’s only nine-darter during his third-round clash with Wesley Plaisier, a reminder of the incredible scoring power he brings to the ProTour. Rock then overcame Dutch duo Dirk van Duijvenbode and Danny Noppert to book his place in the last four. There, he got the better of Gary Anderson in a 7–4 victory, claiming the crucial break of throw in the fourth leg that proved decisive.
In the final, Rock looked on course for glory after opening up leads of 6–4 and 7–5, but Smith refused to buckle. With his scoring as steady as ever and his finishing razor-sharp, he clawed back leg by leg before finishing in style to deny Rock what would have been his second Players Championship crown of the season.
Elsewhere in Leicester, Anderson and Nijman both enjoyed strong runs to the semi-final stage, continuing their solid preparations ahead of the upcoming BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix. World number one Luke Humphries and in-form Jonny Clayton, a World Masters finalist, both reached the quarter-finals, maintaining their consistent floor form.
Van Gerwen’s last-16 run keeps his qualification hopes alive for the upcoming Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals, as the Dutchman continues his push to secure a spot in Minehead. Nathan Aspinall, however, remains outside the top 64 qualification places after suffering a first-round exit.
The week’s ProTour action concludes on Thursday with Players Championship 30, the final part of the triple-header in Leicester, before attention turns to televised action in Dublin for the start of the World Grand Prix on Monday, October 6.
Ross Smith Clinches Emotional Second ProTour Title of 2025 After Thrilling Final Against Josh Rock
2025 Players Championship 29
Wednesday October 1
Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Last 16
Ryan Meikle 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Ross Smith 6-0 Michael van Gerwen
Wessel Nijman 6-5 Martin Schindler
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Mike De Decker
Gary Anderson 6-5 Darryl Pilgrim
Luke Humphries 6-5 Cameron Menzies
Josh Rock 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Danny Noppert 6-2 Niels Zonneveld
Quarter-Finals
Ross Smith 6-4 Ryan Meikle
Wessel Nijman 6-0 Jonny Clayton
Gary Anderson 6-5 Luke Humphries
Josh Rock 6-2 Danny Noppert
Semi-Finals
Ross Smith 7-3 Wessel Nijman
Josh Rock 7-4 Gary Anderson
Final
Ross Smith 8-7 Josh Rock
Nine-Darter!
Josh Rock hit a nine-darter in Round Three against Wesley Plaisier.
