Michael Smith is eyeing further success in August’s World Series of Darts’ treble-header Down Under, as he bids to dislodge Dimitri Van den Bergh at the top of the World Series Order of Merit.
Smith will feature as one of the eight PDC representatives in this month’s roadshow, which begins with the PalmerBet Queensland Darts Masters from August 12-13.
The global tour then sees the PalmerBet New South Wales Darts Masters take place in Wollongong from August 19-20, before the action concludes with the TAB New Zealand Darts Masters in Hamilton from August 26-27.
Smith currently trails Van den Bergh by six points at the top of the World Series of Darts Order of Merit, after the former World Matchplay champion claimed back-to-back titles in Copenhagen and Amsterdam back in June.
The Belgian wasn’t set to feature Down Under, but he was drafted in as a late replacement for reigning World Champion Peter Wright, who withdrew to undergo further medical treatment for an ongoing gallstones problem.
“If I don’t come back with a title I will be disappointed,” admitted Smith, who lifted the US Darts Masters title earlier this year.
“I want to win at least one title and be the number one seed going into the World Series Finals in Amsterdam.
“I want to perform wherever I go. It’s important that I play well because I know what I can do.”
Smith has enjoyed a profitable 2022 campaign thus far, scooping a hat-trick of Players Championship titles and clinching his fifth European Tour crown at the Dutch Darts Championship.
Despite this, his wait for a first televised ranking title continues following agonising defeats in January’s World Championship final and March’s Cazoo UK Open showpiece.
“I am getting sick and tired of not doing what I know I am capable of,” added the world number four.
“I am no longer playing for myself. I am playing for my kids’ futures.
“That’s why I do get annoyed when I get beaten.”
However, Smith did enjoy big stage success earlier this year, defeating Michael van Gerwen to secure US Darts Masters glory in the PDC’s first visit to the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.
“Madison Square Garden was unreal,” said Smith, who also defeated Scottish legends Gary Anderson and Wright in June’s historic event.
“Growing up as a kid I watched singers and comedians on TV at the venue and I never thought I would play there.
“I just didn’t want to lose that first game. I wanted to be the first person to win a tournament there and luckily enough I did.”
Smith was beaten by Van den Bergh in the semi-finals of the Nordic Darts Masters a week later, and he was one of six seeds to suffer a first round exit in the inaugural Dutch Darts Masters.
The 31-year-old is expecting a similarly tough test this month, with Australia’s World Cup winning duo Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock among the potential first round opponents for the PDC stars.
“When you play in places like Holland, Australia, and New Zealand, you are not just playing qualifiers, you are playing top professional players on the tour,” Smith continued.
“It showed at the Dutch Masters that anyone can win, and it’s going to be the same in Australia. It’s not going to be easy and nor should it be. It’s the World Series of Darts.
“Eventually we want TV ranking tournaments in these places.
“You could have a tournament where you have the top 32 in the world, and the Australian boys fill up the rest of the field.
“I think it could work. We just need to see the packed-out stadiums and then we could move to bigger venues.”
This month’s roadshow will mark Smith’s third visit to Australia, and his first since 2018, where he succumbed to Wright in the final of the Melbourne Darts Masters.
However, this year’s roadshow will be a family affair for the two-time world finalist, who will be joined in Australia and New Zealand by his wife Dagmara, and sons Michael Jr. and Kasper.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime holiday for them,” added the former World Series Finals runner-up.
“I will be working but I am sure they will have fun!
“Being away for three and a half weeks, I get homesick very quickly, so having them with me in Australia will be great.”
PalmerBet Queensland Darts Masters
PDC Representatives
Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, James Wade, Jonny Clayton, Joe Cullen, Dimitri Van den Bergh, Fallon Sherrock
Oceanic Representatives
Damon Heta, Simon Whitlock, Gordon Mathers, Bailey Marsh, Koha Kokiri, Dave Marland, Joe Comito, Haupai Puha
PalmerBet New South Wales Darts Masters
PDC Representatives
Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, James Wade, Jonny Clayton, Joe Cullen, Dimitri Van den Bergh, Fallon Sherrock
Oceanic Representatives
Damon Heta, Simon Whitlock, Gordon Mathers, Dave Marland, Koha Kokiri, Raymond O’Donnell, Mal Cuming, Haupai Puha
TAB New Zealand Darts Masters
PDC Representatives
Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, James Wade, Jonny Clayton, Joe Cullen, Dimitri Van den Bergh, Fallon Sherrock
Oceanic Representatives
Damon Heta, Simon Whitlock, Gordon Mathers, Bernie Smith, Kayden Milne, Mal Cuming, Ben Robb, Warren Parry.
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