On 27 September 2008 Michels added the 2008 WDF French Open to his growing list of titles defeating Welshman Robert Hughes in the final five legs to four. Despite his two ranking tournament wins, Michels did not earn enough points to earn a place in the 2009 BDO World Darts Championship and was forced to qualify for the event, but lost in the second round to Belgium's Kim Huybrechts.