SMITH MISSES OUT ON WORLD MATCHPLAY FOR FIRST TIME IN 13 YEARS

MICHAEL SMITH is “right up against it” after failing to qualify for the World Matchplay according to Chris Mason. 

‘Bully Boy’ will miss the tournament at Winter Gardens later this month for the first time since 2013.   

World No. 20 Smith sees his run of 60 consecutive appearances at televised ranked events ended.   

Two-time major winner Smith has been struggling to deal with arthritis in both of his hands and has been suffering with a shoulder injury after a painful 22mph e-scooter crash which has affected his form. 

Former pro and pundit Mason admits it is horrible to watch the 34-year-old struggle through the pain. 

He said: “He is an incredible talent and wonderful man. It is sad to see I have a lot of time for Michael.   

“It’s horrible to watch because there is nothing you can really do.   

“With the problems with the arthritis if that’s limiting the time he can spend on the board then he is right up against it.   

“I always say it in commentary, hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard.

“But if the talent can’t work hard then your blackballed.  

“He’s in a real problem.   

“First thing is to see all the specialists in the world to see if they can alleviate the pain in his hands.   

“There’s loads of rubs and creams he can try.” 

Smith needed to reach the semi-finals of the Player Championship 21 in Leicester on Wednesday to book his ticket to Blackpool. 

But the St Helens thrower suffered a 6-4 defeat to Thibault Tricole in the first round.  

Former World Champion Smith had £485,000 wiped off his winnings after a second-round exit at Ally Pally this year which caused him to plummet outside of the top 10.

Mason reckons Smith has been hit hard by a “flawed ranking system” and believes the 34-year-old’s switch from Unicorn to Shot Darts has badly affected his game. 

He added: “I think it’s a culmination of many things a flawed ranking system which a fair few players have spoke about.   

“It is unfair to lose that chunk of money in one go.   

“You don’t become an outside of the top 16 player from a top five player overnight.   

“I just think that is slightly flawed. The pressure from losing all that money in one go has played its part. 

“Over the last two days he recorded two first round exits.   

“He has been an ever present at the Matchplay since 2013 and another factor is the new manufacturer.   

“I don’t believe those darts match up to his previous set.   

“I think they enter the board slightly different. He doesn’t seem as confident with them.   

“I just think it is a culmination of all those factors of him missing out.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.