CLASSY James Wade paid a touching tribute to his rival Ross Smith after ending a TEN YEAR wait for European Tour glory.
The world No7 beat Ross Smith 8-4 in the final to lift the Flanders Darts Trophy on Sunday evening.
Wade, 43, landed his third PDC crown of the season and pocketed the £35,000 top prize in Antwerp.
The Machine averaged 99.10 and converted 60 per cent of his doubles, dispatching Danny Noppert 6-0 in the quarter-finals before overcoming Damon Heta 7-4 in the semi-final.
11-time major winner Wade paid tribute to Smith’s mum, who sadly passed away last year.
He said: “I’ve watched Smudger play since he was a young man. If his mum was about, she would be so proud of him.
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“She always told me how great he would be. I always thought it was another woman talking about an average person.
“He’s gone well beyond what his mum thought he would be. He’s gone well beyond what I thought he would be.
“He should take a bow. He has his son here. What a privilege to share the stage with a man like him.
“I’ve had my small moments on the European Tour. I am happy with it. Smudger will always be Smudger.
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“He is stubborn. He is great. Thankfully, there are not many players about like him.”
The Aldershot slinger has long been an advocate for mental health after previously opening up about his own struggles with ADHD and bipolar disorder.
Wade is not getting carried away by his latest success, with the business end of the calendar approaching and the World Grand Prix coming up later this month.
He added: “I’ve done enough today and I will take my small moment in glory on the stage. It might be another ten years.
“But I am happy to win today. Do you know the irony? I have never been invited to a gala.
“I don’t know if they can pay enough. I have been fortunate to be involved with the European Tour from the start.
“Very flattered and honoured to be a part of the tour.
“I am James Wade. Some weeks it’s good, sometimes it’s bad. That is how it is for me.
“If it was good all the time, I’d smash them all to bits. We can’t always select how we feel and how we are.”
Smith was full of praise for Wade, admitting he was in a class of his own on the big stage.
He said: “I’ve ridden my luck today. The players have let me off. Wadey being Wadey, he doesn’t let you off.
“I admire him. I watch his game. I watched him take out a finish in the practice room and I would put money on him hitting it than not.
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“I mean that. He’s absolutely class and thoroughly deserved the win. He works hard and turns up every day. He is a fighter.
“I admire the guy too much when I play him. He is an absolute diamond.”