Michael Smith suffers the next severe setback at the Player Championship. The Bully Boy loses again in the first round, one day after his defeat against Kim Huybrechts. A defeat with bitter consequences.
Darts star Michael Smith has suffered another major setback. The 2023 world champion embarrassed himself at the PDC Players Championship 21 in Leicester in the first round.
The Bully Boy surprisingly lost to Frenchman Thibault Tricole 4-6. Although Smith was able to fight back after a 2-4 deficit and three lost legs in a row, Tricole remained cool in the decisive moment.
Things are just not going well for Michael Smith
The 34-year-old Englishman, on the other hand, was extremely inconsistent and, for example, recorded considerable slumps in legs four and eight with averages of 65.5 and 61.33, which his opponent knew how to use.
Smith ultimately lost the match against the world number 64 with a very modest average of 86.92.
Smith had already lost his first-round game against Belgian Kim Huybrechts at the PDC Players Championship 20 the day before – now the renewed damper.
Smith missing World Matchplay
For the Bully Boy, the defeat against the underdog is of a momentous nature. Because now it is also clear that Smith will not be part of the World Matchplay.
Only the top 16 of the Order of Merit start there. Smith is only in 21st position and can no longer work his way into the field, as July 9 marks the cut-off date.
The oldest and most important tournament of the PDC alongside the World Championship will take place from July 19 to 27, 2025 in the Empress Ballroom of the Winter Gardens of Blackpool.
For Smith, non-participation is another setback. The Englishman had already failed in the first round of the 2025 World Cup against Kevin Doets. The Bully Boy also showed inconsistent performances afterwards and was unable to build on his past successes.