SMITH TARGETS THIRD MAJOR

By Aaron Nijjar  

MICHAEL SMITH believes he can win his third major title this year.  

‘Bully Boy’ beat Kevin Doets, Madars Razma and Dimitri Van den Bergh to reach the quarter-final of the UK Open.  

World No. 17 Smith averaged a stellar 95 against Doets and Razma.  

The former World champion sealed his win against ‘Razmatazz’ in round five with a stunning 164 checkout.  

However, he met his match in Jonny Clayton who secured a 10-8 victory in the quarter-final. 

Smith revealed being excluded in this year’s Premier League lineup has motivated him to win more trophies and rediscover his best form. 

He said: “I was disappointed of not being in the Premier League.  

“Not being on the TV as much this year I just wanted to prove a point. 

“The point I want to make is Michael Smith will still win majors. 

“Now I am dying to get on that plane and I’m dying to play darts.” 

The St Helens thrower endured a difficult start to 2025 after he was knocked out of the first-round in all four Players Championship events.  

However, Smith reached the last eight of the ‘Fa Cup of Darts’ for a third time and he believes this can propel him to win a third major. 

He added: “The last four ProTour’s have not been good for me. I have lost every first-round game but [my game] it’s been there. 

“I know it’s coming back. Trying to get that one win which I managed to get against Kevin [Doets] on Friday. Then I beat Madars [Razma] and Dimitri [Van den Bergh].  

“I know the game is not where it can be and where it should be.  

“But it’s building blocks. I’m setting foundations and coming to myself. 

“Everyone did not think I would make the final day [at the UK Open.] 

“So that is a huge positive. I just have to turn that positive into getting a trophy now.” 

Smith has already had an incredible career winning the Grand Slam, World Championship and World Cup.  

Two-time major winner Smith will return to action this Friday on the Euro Tour at the Belgian Darts Open.  

Image by Kieran Cleeves.