Michael Smith brands himself "garbage" after losing eighth major final out of eight

dailystar.co.uk:

It was another heartbreaking night of darts for Michael Smith as he lost his eighth consecutive final, this time to Danny Noppert in the UK Open.The match came down to a deciding leg, and all Smith had to do was hold his throw to end his cruel losing run and win his first major tournament.However, Smith went on to lose his eighth final in a row, just months after he lost the World Championship at the last hurdle to Peter Wright.And the 'Bully Boy' has branded himself as "garbage" after losing his cool right when it mattered most, which has been the tale of his career so far.After beating Gerwyn Price in the quarter-final, Smith was the heavy favourite to go on and finally win his first major, but Noppert held his own and took his opportunity when it was presented to him.But Smith only had himself to blame, as he said following his 11-10 defeat: "I was absolute garbage.

I could have walked away with that 11-3. My doubles and scoring were so bad. Fair play to Danny."It's an unfortunate curse for Smith as he was excellent throughout the earlier rounds, but the lingering dread from previous finals clearly made him nervous at the last hurdle.Despite scooping up the runners-up trophy and also £40,000 of prize money, Smith was furious with himself and was seen muttering in frustration while coming to terms with another defeat.He also couldn't look at Noppert as he lifted the UK Open trophy, a major that Smith must have thought was his after knocking out the world no.1.Smith's time will come, and the 31-year-old may be upset with his record in finals, but at least he is making them..