Many regard Michael Smith as the eternal bridesmaid in darts.
Bully Boy has won a lot of tournaments but still has not been able to claim a major PDC championship. He was close to reaching the finals of the World Championship, Premier League, World Matchplay and The Masters but fell at the last hurdle each time.
If he continues to perform at his blistering pace, this run could be over. Smith was unstoppable at the Players Championship events 14-15 this week. Smith won his quarter-final match against Florian Hempel with a nine-dart win. He then averaged 109.95 in an 8-3 victory over Callan Rydz, to complete Tuesday’s first title.
Smith managed 32 180s even though he started his day with two unspectacular wins over John Michael and Glen Durrant, before Ritchie Edhouse beat him 6-5 with a 107.10 average. Smith won 16 of the last 16 matches with Mario Vandenbogaerde, before scoring a record 114.90 in a victory over Hempel.
A 7-3 win over Alan Soutar sent Smith through to the final where a clinical 81 per cent double accuracy saw him rack up his 14th win in two days to pocket the £12,000 top prize.
And ahead of tonight’s (Thursday’s), Premier League action in Sheffield, Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle has said he believes a major title is within touching distance for Smith, comparing his wait to that of two-time world champion Gary Anderson.
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(Image: PDC)
“Michael Smith is the modern Gary Anderson. Gary waited 14 years for his first world title,”Tweeted Mardle “Missed doubles / chances blighted him. When the doubles came easier so did the titles. I’m confident Smith will turn those runner up positions into wins. Smith is a 15 time winner on tour.”
If that first major is to be this season’s Premier League, he desperately needs a good night in Sheffield, where he faces league leader Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals. With only three weeks left in the regular season, Smith is just eight points behind Peter Wright for the fourth spot.
