Watch ‘tamesest 9-darter of all time’ as fans decry rival’s ‘shameful’ act
MICHAEL SMITH hit a NINE DARTER at the Players Championship, not that you were aware of it.
At the Players Championship 05 in Hildesheim, Germany, Smith faced Van Barneveld in the last 16.
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While RVB had a 3-0 lead, Bully Boy hit a nine-darter leg to close the gap.
However, 33-year-old Smith’s celebration was quite muted – perhaps because of the score.
One fan commented on social media: “The tamest 9-darter of all time.”
A second said: “Walk away as nonchalantly as I did when I hit a 26.”
Even Smith joked about his calm response on social media.
On his Instagram Story, he joked, “I remember when I used to be good.”
However, some fans also picked up on 56-year-old Van Barneveld’s reaction, with the Dutchman appearing to narrowly acknowledge the nine-darter.
One fan said: “No congratulations from Barney are extremely harsh.”
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A second said: “Barney is just totally ignoring it.”
Another said: “Much respect from Raymond there.”
Van Barneveld then won the game 6-3.
He then sealed victories over James Hurrell and Gary Anderson to reach the final where he faced Stephen Bunting.
But Van Barneveld had clinical precision in the final and stormed to an 8-1 victory over the in-form Bunting.
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