This Week In Darts – 10th Of May 2024

​Michael Smith took the overall victory at the ninth Players Championship 9 in Hildesheim on Monday, defeating Ryan Joyce in the final and capturing his 20th Pro Tour title in the process.

Smith started the tournament with a 6-3 win over Oskar Lukasiak before defeating Adam Hunt 6-0. Wins over both Jonny Clayton and Richard Veenstra would solidify his spot in the final eight. Smith would then go on to top both Luke Woodhouse and Krzysztof Ratajski before the match with Joyce.

Smith gained a 3-1 lead early in the final, with the next four legs going to Joyce. In response, Smith would make up the deficit and land both a 15-darter and a 14-darter for an eventual 7-6 win.

Congratulations to Michael Smith on this milestone tour title!

MORE TOURNAMENT NEWS

Michael Smith isn’t the only darter to secure a milestone win this week. Brendan Dolan also sealed his 10th PDC title this week after defeating first-time finalist Jeffrey de Graaf at Players Championship 10.

Prior to the final, De Graaf earned victories over Owen Bates, Mike de Decker, Matt Campbell, Thibault Tricole, Scott Williams and Krzysztof Ratajski respectively. Dolan, by comparison, would see wins against Robert Grundy, Franz Roetzsch, Peter Wright, Dom Taylor, Daryl Gurney and Graham Hall before the final showdown with the Swede.

During that match, Dolan took the first three legs and then managed to take a 5-2 lead courtesy of a 12-darter and an 11-darter. De Graaf closed to 5-4 via two 17-darters, but was unable to equalize. The Northern Irishman would then throw a 16-darter and a 15-darter to close out the final 8-4.

Following this latest victory, Brendan Dolan will now compete with Daryl Gurney to determine who, along with Josh Rock, could go to the World Cup of Darts on behalf of Northern Ireland.

Until then, congratulations to Brendan Dolan on his milestone win!

A NEW RECORD

Dave Chisnall threw the highest average at the tenth Players Championship tournament of the season on Tuesday. The impressive 114.03 was achieved in a first round match with Tim Wolters.

All seven legs went out in a maximum of 14 arrows. A 13-darter, 12-darter and two 14-darters gave Chisnall a very quick 4-0 lead in the contest. Wolters then responded by taking the fifth leg with a 14-darter, before the Englishman closed things out with an 11-darter and a 13-darter respectively.

Interestingly, Gary Anderson was the only other participant to record an average above 110. He managed to throw 111.17 in a win over Matthew Dennant. Cameron Menzies rounded out the Top 3 of the tournament with a respectable 108.76.​

PLAYER INSIGHTS

Joe Cullen isn’t too happy following his performance at Players Championship 10 on Tuesday.

‘The Rockstar’ suffered a rather disappointing 6-0 defeat against Berry van Peer, recording an average of just 73.67 in the process. ”I don’t think I’ve ever been that embarrassed on a dartboard! No reason. No excuse as to why, but I don’t think I’ve ever played that bad in my professional career?” Cullen reflected afterwards in a post on X.

And as to what caused this rather lacklustre performance? “Suppose these things happen but tough to accept after such a horrific performance!” fumed the former Masters champion. “Regroup for Kiel.”

Well, at least there is something to be said for the positive attitude.​

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Former World Champion Keith Deller enjoyed a rather special day on Tuesday, picking up an MBE at Windsor Castle Royal Palace that was presented to him by Price William.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations and public service outside of the civil service. It was originally established back in 1917 by King George V and comprises five classes across both civil and military divisions, the most senior of which will make the recipient a knight if male or a dame if female. Also associated with this is the British Empire Medal. Recipients of that honour are still affiliated with, but not members of, the order.

Deller is perhaps best known for his 1983 world title. He was also a founding member of the PDC 30 years ago and played on the professional circuit until 2007. However, that is not why Deller received this award. That comes courtesy of his charity work for the English community.

Among other things, he has raised huge sums of money for various charities, including more than £500,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. “Very proud day receiving my MBE from his Royal Highness Prince William,” Deller captioned a picture of himself with his MBE on X. “A very special day in Windsor for me and my family.”

A prestigious, and once in a lifetime, honour, to be sure!​