Ross Smith has joined an exclusive club by capturing his tenth Pro Tour title last weekend at the Hungarian Darts Trophy. But the Englishman's journey from his first to his tenth title took just over five years, placing him sixteenth in the historical ranking for that feat. That's more than three times slower than the fastest player ever, Raymond van Barneveld, who needed only eighteen months.
Wessel Nijman is second on that list, requiring just 623 days between his first and tenth Pro Tour title, while Gary Anderson completes the top three with 771 days. The contrast is stark: Smith's five-year gap underscores how rapidly the Dutch duo and Anderson rose to prominence in their prime years.
Phil Taylor, arguably the greatest of all time, ranks only sixth in this particular table. The Power's staggering haul of titles didn't translate to speed in this metric, largely because the Pro Tour's early years featured just 25 events in the first three seasons, compared to roughly twice as many tournaments per year today. Michael van Gerwen sits ninth, hampered by a three-year gap between his first and second title before exploding with fifteen wins in 476 days.
Simon Whitlock deserves a special mention, ranking fifth and coming closest to winning his first and tenth titles on the same day. For Smith, reaching ten Pro Tour titles is a significant milestone, even if he didn't do it quickly. He has firmly established himself among the Pro Tour's big names, adding an impressive chapter to his career.
