WRIGHT AND SMITH MISS WORLD MASTERS

PETER WRIGHT is set to MISS the World Masters for the first time in his career.

‘Snakebite’ failed to qualify for the major tournament after losing 3-2 to Graham Hall in the last 64 at Wednesday’s qualifiers.

World No.31 Wright has been ever present at Milton Keynes since 2013 but that impressive run has ended abruptly.

Michael Smith also fell at the first hurdle as he suffered a 3-1 defeat to Rhys Griffin.

The former world champ won’t feature at the Premier event for the first time since 2015.

St Helens thrower Smith endured a nightmare 2025 season, with arthritis issues and a string of injuries disrupting his campaign.

But Smith is refusing to give in, pledging to fight on at the oche as he searches for a return to his very best.

He previously said: “I’ve had times where for five months where I’ve not been able to throw a dart and I’ve just been turned up to PDC floor events with maybe half an hour practice in four weeks, five weeks and still going and playing.

“I could have stopped then, but for me, there’s no question about quitting or stopping.

“I’ve just got to keep going and I’ve done that my whole career. That’s what I’ll keep doing until the very end when I do decide to call it a day.”

Cameron Menzies and Alan Soutar suffered disappointment as they failed to make the TV cut for the £500,000 tournament.

Women’s World No.1 Beau Greaves bowed out despite landing a sensational Big Fish against Adam Werner earlier in the day.

Qualifiers for the World Masters include Englishmen Connor Scutt and James Hurrell, Dutchmen Wessel Nijman, Jimmy van Schie and Niels Zonneveld, Swede Jeffrey de Graaf, Irishman Shane McGuirk and Latvian Madars Razma.

Luke Humphries will begin the defence of his World Masters title against Dave Chisnall on Friday evening, with the £100,000 top prize firmly in his sights.

Image by Taylor Lanning.