The meteoric rise of Ross “Smudger” Smith has reached a boiling point. Following a clinical display of high-scoring accuracy and composure under pressure, Smith captured the World Series of Darts (WSoD) Finals title on Sunday, marking his first major trophy in nearly four years.
For the better part of a decade, Smith has been a steady, respectable presence on the PDC circuit. However, his performance over the last two years has signaled a transformation from a dangerous outsider to a bona fide contender. With this latest victory, the conversation surrounding Smith has shifted from his consistency on the Pro Tour to a singular, prestigious goal: a debut appearance in the 2027 Premier League of Darts.
Smith’s 2026 campaign has been nothing short of exceptional. Quietly putting together the most productive year of his career, he has racked up two ProTour event titles and two European Tour titles, bolstered by two additional runner-up finishes. While the WSoD Finals win is an unranked major—meaning the prize money does not impact the official Order of Merit (OoM)—the psychological boost and the prestige of the win carry immense weight. Had the prize money been added to his ranking, Smith would have surged into the world’s top 10, likely resting comfortably at number seven.
Despite his dominance in floor events, critics have long pointed to his relative quietness on the major stage since his 2022 European Championship breakthrough. Outside of quarterfinal runs at the World Matchplay and a semifinal appearance at the 2024 Players Championship Finals, Smith has lacked the “big stage” hardware to cement his elite status. Sunday’s victory effectively silenced those doubters.
As the PDC looks toward the 2027 Premier League selection process, Smith finds himself in a fascinating position. He currently sits at number 11 in the world rankings. While he is not a mathematical lock for the eight-player field, his trajectory is undeniable. The path to inclusion for Smith is clear: he must capitalize on his lack of prize money to defend in the upcoming majors. By avoiding a ranking drop and potentially adding a few deep runs—quarterfinal or semifinal appearances—in the final events of the year, he could force the hand of the PDC selectors.
If the Premier League expands its field to 10 players, Smith’s odds of inclusion skyrocket. Even if the format remains rigid, his current form as the provisional top seed for the upcoming European Championship and his seventh-place standing on the PC Order of Merit paint a picture of a player who is no longer just “under the radar.”
Ross Smith has proven he can beat the best in the world. Now, the question is whether he has done enough to earn a permanent seat at the sport’s most exclusive table.
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