Michael Smith likely to miss more majors after skipping next Players Championship and European Tour events
PDC
The entries were confirmed yesterday for Players Championship 22-23 and European Tour 11-12 but there was one glaring omission as Michael Smith decided not to enter any of the tournaments over the next month or so. That could have a future knock on for the former World Champion.
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Smith missed the World Matchplay this past week for the first time since 2013 after finishing outside of the qualification spots and he needed to reach the semi-finals of Players Championship 21 but he lost early. The 2019 runner-up instead of deciding to try and get his form back in the coming weeks will seemingly take a break but this could have a knock on.
Now World No.22, he doesn't get into the World Grand Prix for instance by right through the top 16 anymore. He is currently on the cusp of the top 16 on the ProTour but given he won't play the next four events, it could yet be a mountain to climb for 'Bully Boy'.
He is on £57,000 on that Order of Merit behind Raymond van Barneveld narrowly who is on £58,000. But the gaps between aren't that big up to Ricardo Pietreczko in 13th who is on £59,750. So missing these tournaments when a good run would see Smith in could be a poor move. Another player who has decided to skip these events at least on the Players Championship side is Peter Wright.
Issues for both Smith and Peter Wright ahead
He is currently 14th but Danny Noppert and Dave Chisnall are right behind him to send him down to World No.16. From there he is currently set to be behind Michael Smith even post World Championship. He is slated to be World No.26 behind Smith who will be in 25th currently. He will not like his fellow former World Champion qualify by right for European Tours and will not do so either on the ProTour side. So it could equal darting purgatory as a result.
Peter Wright could also be in trouble.
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Smith also has issues when it comes to missing the next few European Tours. He is currently in the 32nd and final spot for Dortmund. But gaining all the time are Raymond van Barneveld, Matt Campbell and Joe Cullen. Rob Cross is also just outside the spots too and Ritchie Edhouse is far from safe. So there could be a position where as well as Smith, we have a former European Champion in Cross as well as a current champion in Edhouse missing the cut.
Albeit it is likely that he is dealing with his ongoing injury travails with arthritis in his throwing hand as well as a shoulder injury blighting the St Helens ace since his downturn in form. He promised to return to his best quickly but that has yet to transpire.
"I broke both my wrists when I was 19 and now it's catching up with me and now suffering with arthritis to my right hand," said Smith after the World Masters in January. "This isn't sympathy or a cry for help. This is letting you all in to it. I've never given up or stopped from any pain."
"I see the specialist Monday and when I know, you will know, what will happen over the next month or so," he said. "I'll never let anything beat me and I promise I'll be back very, very quickly."
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Michael Smith is skipping Players Championships 22 & 23 and European Tour 11 & 12.
— Jetze Jan Idsardi (@JJIdsardi) July 25, 2025
He already missed the World Matchplay, but now he is in danger of missing the World Grand Prix and European Championship too.
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- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026