16th time lucky! Pero Ljubic finally takes first win on PDC Pro Tour after 15 straight first round defeats

Pero Ljubic earned his first-ever PDC Tour Card at Q-School earlier this year — a major milestone in his career. Until now, however, success on the professional circuit had eluded him. But that may be starting to change, after a promising breakthrough at the 16th Players Championship event of the year.

The 47-year-old Croatian had yet to make an impact on the PDC Pro Tour. In all fifteen of his previous Players Championship appearances this season, he suffered first-round exits. He also bowed out in the opening round of the UK Open.

That run of poor form finally came to an end yesterday. At the 16th Players Championship, Ljubić broke the streak, claiming a 6–2 win in the opening round over two-time World Championship quarter-finalist Callan Rydz.

Riding that momentum, Ljubić followed it up with another 6–2 victory — this time against American Danny Lauby in the second round. His run was eventually halted in the last 32, where he lost to Ross Smith.

Still, it feels like Ljubić may finally be finding his footing on the tour. The Players Championship will now pause for a little over a month, with the next event scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.

But all eyes — especially Ljubić’s — will be on the World Cup of Darts, set to take place from Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, June 15 in Frankfurt.

As for the silverware, it was Ross Smith who took the title. He capped off a brilliant day with a commanding 8-0 win over Brendan Dolan in the final, securing the fifth Players Championship title of his career — and his first of 2025.