ROSS SMITH believes he “can win any major this year” ahead of the World Matchplay commencing this weekend. 

‘Smudger’ smashed in TWO nine-darters, reeled off three straight whitewash wins, and won an incredible 24 legs on the spin to clinch the Players Championship 16 title in May. 

World No.14 Smith also reached the Austrian Darts Open final on the Euro Tour showing the brilliant 2025 campaign he has had. 

Former European champ Smith made the quarter-finals at the Winter Gardens last year after losing 10-6 to James Wade.  

Dover thrower Smith insists he can go one better and reckons his game is peaking just in time for Blackpool. 

He told Juicy Darts: “I feel really confident. My game is in a really good place. 

“I have got to a point now as long as I play really well the results will come.  

“If they don’t come and I play well then, I go to the next tournament.   

“You look at that list of the 16 players that are not seeded at Blackpool you have Josh Rock on there.   

“I played Josh first round last year and beat him but Josh Rock is absolute class. Martin Schindler is another and Daryl Gurney.  

“Ryan Joyce has been fantastic in Europe this year so you won’t get any easy draw.  

“I know full well I could win it. I have won a major and I know I could win another.   

“I believe I can win any major this year. Doing it is another thing.   

“But the belief is there, and the game is there.

“You do need a bit of luck here and there but why not.” 

The 36-year-old also admits whistling from the crowd in arenas when players are throwing at the oche is something he’d love to see stamped out. 

He added: “The only time it can get to you is when they are whistling while you are throwing for a double.  

“You sort of think just give it a rest. It’s our job. We are not millionaires or multimillionaires.  

“It’s not like we don’t need the money we do.

“I have a little lad and I am trying to pay for my house. 

“So, it is hard work when you are playing and they are whistling.  

“I don’t mind them booing or chanting stuff when I am playing against whoever.  

“It does not bother me. I play people like Peter Wright or Michael van Gerwen and I start singing their chants when I am playing.  

“It relaxes me. But the whistling when you are throwing at the double can be a pain.  

“Hopefully one day the crowd takes a step back and maybe have some respect for the players.  

“But at the same time they pay for their tickets like any other person does.  

“I suppose you have it in football the amount of stick the crowd give the players.  

“Maybe you just have to take it on the chin and learn to deal with it.”