Michael Smith news: Will Bully Boy ever win a major PDC title?

Michael Smith reacts against William O'Connor during day ten of the William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London. Picture date: Monday December 27, 2021.

Following his seventh major PDC final defeat, many are now wondering whether Michael Smith will ever win that elusive first trophy.

Michael Smith's ability to win a major PDC title came under scrutiny as the 31-year-old suffered yet another agonising final defeat.

Smith was 10-9 up in the UK Open final against Danny Noppert and missed one dart for the title at the bull before going on to lose a thriller 11-10.

After missing out against Peter Wright in the World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace last January, defeat in Minehead means it's now seven major final losses for Smith as he still searches for a first major TV title.

It includes two heartbreaking World Darts Championship final defeats, and it leaves one of the most talented players on the circuit having to pick himself up yet again from a devastating blow.

"I was trying too hard to win, fair play to Danny," said Smith. "It's yet another final loss, it's very hard to take.

"I was absolute garbage. I could have walked away with that 11-3. I can only blame myself, my doubles were awful and my scoring was bad."

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It has all come down to this.

ONE LEG will decide who wins their first televised ranking title!

Smith with the darts...#CazooUKOpen | The Final pic.twitter.com/veAjmEgJt9
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 6, 2022

Bully Boy almost had the perfect weekend in Minehead, having hit a nine-darter earlier in the tournament and putting out former world number one Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.

In the recent World Championship he also set a new record for 180s but all the stats and records mean little when a title is all Smith is desperately searching for.

Smith also moves up to his highest ever world ranking of four, but that's still little consolation for the 31-year-old, who you suspect could win a hatful of majors if he can just get that first one over the line.

Three of Smith's seven final defeats in majors have come in a deciding leg, and he's missed darts for the match and title in all three of them before seeing his opponent walk off with the trophy.

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? Great respect between Peter Wright and Michael Smith after an exceptional final.

? Live blog: https://t.co/xq5ktH7xdb
#️⃣ #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/Z8DnV9ZiRM
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2022

Darts is all about mental strength and Smith has shown plenty to keep getting back up and getting back into finals after all the disappointment.

There is a genuine question now though of it will ever be his day and if he can ever banish the demons enough to finally get that first major title under his belt.

If he can, it could be the first of many.