Smith fumes over “absolutely shocking” Grand Slam qualification system

ROSS SMITH has blasted the Grand Slam qualification system as “absolutely shocking”.

The world No15 questioned how players can win multiple ranking events yet still miss out on a place in one of the PDC’s biggest majors.

Smith, 37, has featured in the TV competition just twice since 2020, having failed to qualify on every other occasion.

He told talksSPORT: “I’d change the Grand Slam qualification criteria because that is just absolutely shocking. That’s just my view.

“I just don’t get it. I don’t get how you have got players, not just me, but how you can win a ranking event or two, three and you’re sitting at home in the top 16.

“You’re watching Development runners-up. That’s nothing against them. People who haven’t got even a Tour Card and they’re playing a major ranked event.

“I just don’t understand how you’ve got that and players who are winning tournaments sitting at home.

“It baffles me.”

Smudger enjoyed a brilliant 2025 campaign, winning two Players Championship titles and reaching the final of the Austrian Darts Open, yet still missed out on a place at Wolverhampton.

The current system sees all Premier event finalists qualify automatically, alongside the 2025 and 2026 World Youth Championship finalists.

Places are also awarded to winners of the Development Tour, Challenge Tour, Women’s Series, Women’s Matchplay, Asian Championship, North American Championship, Nordic & Baltic Championship and ANZ Premier League.

Eight more spots are then decided through a Tour Card Holder Qualifier.

The remaining places are filled by winners of European Tour and Players Championship events.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning