Sensational Smith seals third Players Championship title in a row after incredible final against Van Duijvenbode
PDC
Michael Smith has continued his incredible form as the man to beat in World Darts by sealing his fifth title in just over a month and his third Players Championship crown in a row claiming the opener in Niedernhausen and Event 16 overall against Dirk van Duijvenbode 8-6.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a match which sees two players who will be staying in Germany for the remainder of the week on World Cup duty, it potentially offered a future glimpse at both players’ form heading into the team event and it was ‘Bully Boy’ who came out on top in a special final against ‘The Titan’ who was averaging over 110 for the majority of the match. But it was a tie where the misses were always punished and it was Smith who benefited to seal yet another title.
Read also
A 180 and 11-darter saw Smith hold throw to lead. Van Duijvenbode missed darts to level up and Smith pinned double 13 for an 81 checkout and a 2-0 lead.
A 50 checkout though saw Van Duijvenbode return the favour to make it 2-1 and he pinned double 16 to level up 2-2. Smith pinned 41 to make it 3-2 after some issues with the DartConnect tablet befuddled both players. A 180 left 81 for Smith who missed the bull to break again and Van Duijvenbode returned for parity on double 18 at 3-3.
Van Duijvenbode left double 20 from 170 to break in a superb leg by the Dutchman and pinned it to lead for the first time at 4-3 with a break. Another maximum saw Van Duijvenbode up his average towards 113 but he missed a 105 checkout and Smith punished with a 170 checkout as the insane standard continued between the pair at 4-4.
A 171 from Smith left 94 with Van Duijvenbode himself sat on 87 in case Smith missed which he did in the form of the second double 19 for 5-4. Van Duijvenbode returned but slipped into the single one going for single 20 for a shot at 87. As a result, Smith finally hit double 19 to lead again at 5-4.
Van Duijvenbode missed 104 to hold and in a game where all misses were being punished, Smith hit a 110 checkout to go 6-4 up. The Dutchman looked for one final reprieve as he took out 53 to break back as he looked to make it 6-6. Another maximum from Smith left 95 as he looked to break again and this time, he did hit both double 19’s to make it 7-5.
ADVERTISEMENT
Smith missed 114 for the match in the requisite leg and Van Duijvenbode took aim at double 18 which he pinned for yet another break as he looked to force a decider. But Smith produced a special leg when he needed it most with an incredible 121 checkout using Bull, Treble 13, Double 16 to claim it. Special stuff from the St Helens thrower.
Read also
Players Championship 16
Last 16
Luke Humphries (99.20) 6 | 2 (96.74) Chris Dobey
Dirk van Duijvenbode (95.17) 6 | 2 (96.38) Dimitri Van den Bergh
Keane Barry (102.78) 6 | 4 (107.82) Dave Chisnall
John Henderson (90.35) 6 | 5 (89.49) Martin Lukeman
Michael Smith (101.03) 6 | 4 (90.73) Stephen Bunting
ADVERTISEMENT
Andrew Gilding (94.74) 6 | 5 (91.32) Danny Noppert
Josh Rock (100.20) 6 | 0 (93.29) Gabriel Clemens
Krzysztof Ratajski (91.45) 6 | 1 (90.36) Damon Heta
Quarter-Finals
Luke Humphries (91.21) 4 | 6 (100.43) Dirk van Duijvenbode
Keane Barry (95.42) 6 | 2 (79.25) John Henderson
Michael Smith (103.96) 6 | 2 (92.07) Andrew Gilding
Josh Rock (93.47) 6 | 4 (94.86) Krzysztof Ratajski
ADVERTISEMENT
Semi-Finals
Dirk van Duijvenbode (93.97) 7 | 1 (91.02) Keane Barry
Michael Smith (106.24) 7 | 3 (103.51) Josh Rock
Final
Dirk van Duijvenbode (107.29) 6 | 8 (105.58) Michael Smith

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.
claps 2visitors 2
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- 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






