PDC World Darts Championship: Peter Wright beats Michael Smith 7-5 to win his second title in three tournaments at Alexandra Palace

Peter Wright has joined an exclusive list of darts superstars by claiming a second Sid Waddell trophy in a 7-5 win over ‘Bully Boy’ Michael Smith in the PDC World Darts Championship final.

The world No 2 averaged a great 98.34 during the match while firing in 17 180s. But it was the ending where the Scotsman showed his true class, averaging a remarkable 113.93 in the final 10 legs.

Peter Wright starts strong

Wright, who revealed a knee injury had been causing him discomfort, hit two maximums to win a 15-darter in the opening leg. Smith levelled up, but only after throwing 28 darts in the – statistically – worst leg of the entire tournament.

It was the Scot who eventually wrapped up the set 3-1 after hitting double four and double eight in legs three and four and then continued with magnificent finishes of 148 and 124 to leave Smith reeling.

Smith, however, responded with back-to-back 12-darters and a brilliant 167-checkout. ‘Bully Boy’ then survived a 117-finish and two missed darts for the set from Wright to draw level at 2-2.

Smith landed his 72nd maximum of the tournament, breaking Gary Anderson’s record of 71 back in 2017, in a tight fifth set which went to a deciding leg but it was Wright who hit a two-dart 25 to regain the lead.

Smith, who had been scoring well, saw it translate to a set as he won the sixth set 3-1 with a 106 average and then hit a 93 checkout to sweep set seven.

Wright countered Smith by taking out 72 to take the eighth set 3-1 and make it a level game at 4-4.

Michael Smith leads 5-4

Wright started the next set with a lovely 103-checkout, but later missed six darts to win the set, allowing Smith to hit a double-13 and sneak away with the set.

Wright battles back to win

After being down two legs in the 10th set, Wright reeled off three legs on the spin to draw level at 5-5 before landing finishes of 96, 80 and 36 for a tide-turning 112.73 set average to move one away from the title.

Wright hit a magnificent 81-bullseye finish before making it eight legs on the bounce with a double 9. Although Smith stopped the bleeding in the next leg, Wright wrapped up victory with double-16.

Smith was left distraught after losing his eighth televised final in nine attempts, while Wright joined Phil Taylor, John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen as a multiple winner of the biggest darts event. 

By Charlie Parker