Ross Smith produced a ruthless display to defeat Gary Anderson 8-2 and claim his second European Tour title of 2026 at the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest on Sunday. The 37-year-old completed a memorable weekend at the MVM Dome, securing the £35,000 top prize in front of a record European Tour crowd of almost 6,000 fans.
Smith, who won his maiden European Tour title at May's International Darts Open, began Finals Day with an impressive 6-2 victory over William O'Connor, then overcame Jonny Clayton 6-4 in the quarter-finals, converting 60% of his attempts at double. He dispatched Danny Noppert 7-3 in the semi-finals to set up a third European Tour final of the year against Scottish legend Anderson.
In the final, Smith made the perfect start, establishing a 2-1 lead with checkouts of 103 and 124, before a five-leg burst put him within touching distance. He sealed the title with an 11-dart break of throw, averaging 101 and converting 73% of his attempts at double. "I feel a bit in disbelief in a way because I was coming here on the back of two losses in the World Series," reflected Smith, who rises to world number 15. "Playing Gary – it's Gary Anderson isn't it, he's a legend. To be able to beat Gary, wow."
The victory moves Smith to the top of the 2026 European Tour rankings, leapfrogging fellow two-time champion Wessel Nijman. "At the end of the day, I'm playing in front of thousands and thousands of people," he added. "This is my job, wow! I'm so grateful, it's a pinch myself moment. I absolutely love the European Tour."
Anderson, who entered the tournament having won just one European Tour match in 2026, rediscovered his best form to reach his first final on the circuit since July last year. He began with a sensational 105.27 average in a 6-2 demolition of Krzysztof Ratajski, edged past Stephen Bunting in a last-leg decider, then survived five match darts against Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals. "I ran out of steam a long time ago!" joked Anderson. "Making the final was sheer luck, it was a gift from the gods I got this far."
Noppert also impressed, reaching the semi-finals after defeating Ryan Searle and Dirk van Duijvenbode, while Aspinall joined him in the last four by overcoming Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey. Earlier, Van Duijvenbode defeated Rob Cross 6-4, Dave Chisnall dispatched Keane Barry 6-2, and Chris Dobey produced a spectacular Big Fish checkout to complete a 6-3 victory over Josh Rock. The European Tour now heads to Prague for the Czech Darts Open from September 4-6.