James Wade ended a decade-long wait for a European Tour title when he beat Ross Smith 8-4 to win the Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp.
The 43-year-old produced the strongest finish of the week, following a 6-0 quarter-final victory over Danny Noppert and a 7-4 win against Damon Heta to reach the final. With Luke Littler and Luke Humphries not entered in Antwerp, Gian van Veen was seeded top, but Ross Smith eliminated him 7-6 in the semi-finals to set up the all-English decider.
In the final Wade delivered a 95.50 average and landed five 180s, establishing control after Smith missed a 64 checkout that would have put him 3-2 ahead. Wade moved clear to 6-3 and sealed the title with a 16 finish, earning the £35,000 winner's cheque.
Afterwards Wade reflected on the fluctuations in his form, saying, "Some weeks it's good, sometimes it's bad. That's how it is for me," and added, "If it was good all the time, I'd smash them all to bits. We can't always select how we feel." The victory also ended his wait for a continental crown, his first since winning the 2016 European Darts Matchplay in Hamburg, and adds to a career that includes 11 PDC major final wins.
The Flanders Darts Trophy win restores Wade to the European Tour winners list and provides a clear competitive boost after a prolonged run without a continental title.
