“Michael Smith isn’t going to take it lying down” – Luke Woodhouse backs 'BullyBoy' after local hero powers to opening-night Grand Slam victory

Luke Woodhouse says Michael Smith “isn’t going to take it lying down” after both men kicked off their 2025 Grand Slam of Darts campaigns with important group-stage wins on the opening weekend in Wolverhampton.

Woodhouse overcame Martin Schindler 5–2 in front of a lively home crowd at the WV Active Aldersley, while Smith – battling arthritis and coming off the worst year of his career – produced a superb 5–3 victory over Nathan Aspinall to mark his return to major televised action.

Speaking after his own win, Woodhouse was keen to praise his stablemate’s resilience following a brutal season on and off the oche. “Everyone knows what Michael’s gone through with the injury, but you’re talking about a multi-major winner. He’s not going to take it lying down,” Woodhouse said. “I was practising with him before and he was hitting 180s for fun. He’s class, so I’m sure he’ll be absolutely fine.”

Smith failed to qualify for the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and initially even the Grand Slam itself before coming through last week’s Tour Card Holder Qualifier. His win over Aspinall showed flashes of the old Bully Boy, and Woodhouse believes more is coming.

Woodhouse himself quietly produced one of the standout displays of the opening round. The 37-year-old raced into a 3–0 lead with a 56 checkout, an early break, and a tidy 72 finish as Schindler struggled to get a foothold. The German hit a stunning 122 on the bull to hit back at 3–1, but Woodhouse responded instantly with a clinical 96 to move within one.

Schindler’s 87 checkout briefly extended the contest, only for Woodhouse to seal victory in style with a superb 120 finish to wrap up a 5–2 win.

It was a composed and clinical performance, though Woodhouse admitted it felt anything but serene on stage. “I just felt really edgy,” he said. “When people start singing your name, I’m not really used to that. It’s brilliant, obviously, but it does make you more nervous.”

With the venue just half an hour from his home, Woodhouse said hearing a chant for him for the first time in a PDC arena was a moment he’ll never forget.

Despite the strong start, Woodhouse was quick to put the result into context. “This win means nothing unless I can back it up now,” he said honestly. “The first game in this format is the edgiest one. If you lose it, suddenly you’ve got to win the next two. So I just treat every game like a knockout – go up there and try to win.”

He added that stage events still bring out his best. “I’ve always felt more comfortable on stage than on the floor. If I can get the floor game to match it, I’ll be on to something really good.”

The world No. 25 also reflected on a steady but quietly impressive season, one which has seen him climb into the world’s top 32 and make deep runs in several TV majors.

“I’m never going to be a glass-half-full sort of guy. I always want more,” he said. “People said, ‘Brilliant run last week,’ but I didn’t win. That’s just me.”

He believes the moment he truly realised he belonged came last year. “Making the semi-finals of the European Championship was a lightbulb moment. One more round and you’re in a major final. That made me think: stop being too hard on yourself and just enjoy it.”

The upcoming PDC World Darts Championship remains the main focus though. “Ally Pally is my favourite stage. The crowd is on a different level," he explains. And with more prize money on offer than ever before, there's an extra impetus to go on a deep run. "For every player, it’s about getting through those early rounds and being there after Christmas.”