Ninth time lucky as superb Smith thrashes Aspinall to achieve darting destiny with maiden PDC major title at Grand Slam of Darts
PDC
It is ninth time lucky for Michael Smith who finally has the major title that many feel he has deserved in his darting career easing past Nathan Aspinall in a one sided final at the Grand Slam of Darts 16-5.
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Previously Smith reached eight major finals including two World Championship finals, a World Matchplay, Premier League and this year alone, the former, the UK Open and the European Championship but now has achieved darting destiny in a superb display from 'Bully Boy'.
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Smith opened up well with an early break hitting double 10 from 45 for 1-0. He went five into a nine-dart finish but the third dart bounced out. He slipped into double five though on 80 as he failed to be clinical but was well ahead and hit double fifteen for 2-0.
A 14-dart 44 checkout saw Smith make 3-1. He slipped inside the inside wire for 145 on double 14 and Aspinall returned for double five to go into the break 3-2 down.
Smith flew well wide on 110 but returned for double 10 to make it 4-2. Aspinall missed 105 and Smith picked his pocket with an 88 checkout to break and go 5-2 up.
Aspinall moved around the oche going for 80 but found double 20 for a break back and 5-3. Smith missed double 18 for 121 but returned with Aspinall unable to get a shot at 138 and pinned the target again for 6-3.
Leaving 85, he left 40 with Aspinall only able to pressure and pinned the target for 7-3. Under pressure, Smith hit a clutch double nine to hold at 8-4.
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He started with a 180 but couldn’t follow it. Aspinall though was getting even more frustrated and was searching for something.
But Smith couldn’t find the trebles to punish and Aspinall hit 70 on double 16 to keep pace at 8-5 down. A 124 set up from Smith on his throw left 40 which he pinned again for 9-5.
Aspinall missed double 12 for 138 and was bang in trouble as Smith hit an 84 checkout on double 12 for 10-5 with the former leaving the stage frustrated and shaking his head.
Smith missed three darts to hold but hit double 10 to make it 11-5. He continued to dominate and hit 66 for a 12-5 lead.
But a rare slip allowed Aspinall a chance at a break back which he spurned and Smith punished with a 76 checkout for 13-5.
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A 180 and 134 left double 16 for Smith for yet another break at 14-5. He missed three but returned for double four.
A 140 left double 20 again for Smith and he returned for double 10 to go one away at the final interval at 15-5. Aspinall on return missed multiple darts to hold and stay involved and Smith on his first match dart pinned it.
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Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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- 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
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026







