Darts star says he has ‘big kahunas’ after beating Gary Anderson to £30k prize

Ross Smith boldly said he has ‘big kahunas’ after a thumping victory over Gary Anderson to clinch the Hungarian Darts Trophy.

The 37-year-old stormed to a 8-2 victory on Sunday in Budapest to claim his second European Tour title of the year.

Getty

Smith put in a dominant display against two-time world champion Anderson, averaging 101 and converting 73 per cent of his checkouts.

After taking a 2-1 lead with 103 and 124 checkouts, he stretched clear to a five-leg advantage before sealing the title with an 11-dart break of throw.

This saw Smith pocket the £30,000 top prize, bringing an end to an impressive tournament in Hungary.

He saw off fourth seed Jonny Clayton 6-4 in the last 16 before dismantling 2023 champion Dave Chisnall 6-2 in a quarter-final that guaranteed the title would be won by a first-time winner.

Then in the semi-finals, he breezed past 2025 runner-up Danny Noppert with a clinical 7-3 victory.

Gutsy display

Smith’s victory in Hungary brought an end to a run of back-to-back first-round exits at the Australian Masters and New Zealand Masters.

And after putting recent results behind him to overcome a proven winner in Anderson, ‘Smudger’ was left delighted by his ability to handle the pressure to clinch his fourth PDC ranking title of the year.

He said: “I feel in a bit of disbelief in a way because I was coming here off the back of two losses on the World Series.

“I’ve just proved to myself I have got big kahunas. Playing Gary, especially, he is a legend.

“To be able to beat Gary – wow. No one wants to lose in the final. I am grateful. I do work hard at it.

Getty

“I pinched myself. At the end of the day, I am playing here in front of thousands and thousands of people.”

Smith made sure to take in his victory, as he was later captured celebrating the win with his young son on stage in Hungary.

In his early darts career, English star juggled competition with work as a HGV driver, and admitted in March that he researches lorry-driving jobs when he feels the pressure of his current full-time gig.

But Smith was full of gratitude after his latest win, as he added: “At the end of the day, I’m playing in front of thousands and thousands of people.

“This is my job, wow! I’m so grateful, it’s a pinch myself moment.

“I absolutely love the European Tour. To travel the world and see everything and take my little lad with me, it’s an absolute privilege.”

As well as victory in Hungary, Smith also tasted glory at the International Darts Open in May, beating Ryan Searle in the final to clinch his first ever European Tour title.

And his latest victory sees him continue an impressive 2026, having put behind a disappointing start to the year at the World Championship.

He was beaten by Andreas Harryson in the first round, in a match that saw the Ally Pally wasp make an appearance on his collar.

Since then though, Smith has enjoyed two victories at Players Championship 5 in Leicester in February and later at Players Championship 20 in Milton Keynes, adding to his European wins.