GARY Anderson has won the European Darts Grand Prix, beating Ross Smith 8-6 in the final to claim just his second Euro Tour title.
The Flying Scotsman beat Christian Perez, Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock and Rob Cross en route to his first European Tour final event since 2015.
Anderson will net £30,000 and rise to World Number 23, with Smith moving up one place to 15th in the PDC Order of Merit.
Anderson started the match with four perfect darts, but was helpless to stop Smith rushing into a two leg lead.
The Scotsman would break throw to claim leg three and then a 72 checkout to level at 2-2, with both players then holding throw for seven consecutive legs.
In leg 11, Anderson was seen stretching in-between visits with the Scotsman having to withdraw from the German Darts Grand Prix in March due to a shoulder issue.
The game sprang into life in Leg 12, with Anderson missing three darts at double six, but Smith failed to checkout 70 giving Anderson a lifeline which was taken to level at 6-6.
Leg 13 was Anderson’s key moment, breaking throw with a 121 finish, after a dismal leg from Smith including a 28 score visit.
Anderson would throw for the match in leg 14.
But Ross Smith would fail to checkout 60 across three visits meaning Anderson could take out 43 after a 45 dart leg to claim his first Euro Tour title in a decade
Anderson said, ” I should never beat Josh Rock, Rob Cross or him [Smith], I have never been so lucky, “
“After the first game this afternoon I went back to the Hotel to lie down, I am absolutely done.”
Although Anderson seemed to claim he will not be back, he is in line to travel to Graz for the fifth 2024 Euro Tour event next week.
After his defeat Smith said, “I have rode my luck this tournament so I cant complain. I am gutted butI cant say anymore, its Gary Anderson.”
Both players will continue their European Tour action next with with the Astrain Darts Open in Premstätten.
