‘I’ve crushed Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen – there’s just one winner of their prime’
Ross Smith has faced Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen a total of 17 times in his career – and the darts star knows who he believes is the better player in their respective primes
Ross Smith has settled the fiery debate on who reigns supreme between darts legends prime Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen with a one-word verdict on social media.
Smith, who has faced Taylor and Van Gerwen 17 times in total, is adamant that the former holds the title of the best in the world of darts. While travelling to the Ladbrokes UK Open on Thursday, Smith appeared on X to answer questions from his followers. This is where one fan asked: “Prime Mvg vs Prime Phil Taylor?” Smith was blunt with his answer, simply replying: “Taylor.”
The PDC star, currently ranked 19th globally, has clashed with Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor three times, winning once and losing twice. Taylor is hailed as the darting GOAT, boasting a jaw-dropping haul of 214 professional tournament wins – including 85 major titles and an unmatched 16 World Championship victories.
In comparison, Smith has played against Van Gerwen 14 times, winning four and losing on 10 occasions – the latest being a 7-3 thumping at the European Tour on September 22, 2024.
The Dutchman has won 47 major titles, including three World Championships and a record seven Premier League titles. Since debuting in 2002, Van Gerwen has emerged victorious in 157 professional tournament victories and remains a formidable force on the oche.
In 2018, the darts world saw the retirement of a legend after Taylor suffered a 7-2 defeat in the World Darts Championship final at the hands of Rob Cross. At that time, Taylor admitted he “tried my best” but conceded it was “a mismatch” because he didn’t have the same hunger for major titles in the twilight years of his career.
In Van Gerwen’s most recent big game, he battled against the prodigious Luke Littler in this year’s World Darts Championships. In a stunning display, the Dutch star was overpowered 7-3 by the then-17-year-old sensation, who lifted the prestigious prize on only his second attempt.
While fans might argue till the end of time about who shines brighter under the lights between Taylor and Van Gerwen, the English icon reigns supreme with a record-smashing tally of tournament victories and major wins – a trophy haul that the 35-year-old will have to work hard to rival.
