Danny Noppert beats Michael Smith in last-leg decider to win UK Open

Danny Noppert has won the 2022 UK Open title with a 11-10 victory over Michael Smith in Minehead.

Both players went into the final looking for their first PDC major, Smith attempting to finally get a big title under his belt after six runners-up finishes in televised events.

Throughout the match, Smith was averaging significantly more than Noppert and was 5-3 ahead at one stage, but his Dutch opponent was clinical on his doubles, particularly double 10.

Aside from going 7-6 behind, Smith kept his nose in front throughout the closing stages, missing the bull for a 124 checkout in the 20th leg to win the match.

However, Noppert survived and proceeded to hit a 13-dart leg against the throw in the decider, with Smith left on 114, to secure the title with an average of just 84.83.

Earlier in the day, Peter Wright became world number one for the first time in his career courtesy of Gerwyn Price exiting at the quarter-final stage.