Phil “The Power” Taylor isn’t just a darts player; he’s a legend who single-handedly transformed the sport. Mentored by Eric Bristow, Taylor dominated with an unparalleled will to win, achieving an astonishing 16 World Championship titles, hitting multiple historic nine-darters—including two in one match—and setting an unbeaten Premier League record of 44 matches. His career was a cascade of unforgettable moments, culminating in a fairytale final World Matchplay victory, solidifying his status as the greatest darts player of all time.
The Early Years: Forged by a Legend
At the very beginning of his career, Phil Taylor found a crucial mentor in the legendary Eric Bristow. Bristow, himself a five-time World Champion, saw immense potential in Taylor and took him under his wing. He didn’t just teach Taylor how to throw darts; he instilled in him a ruthless winner’s mentality and an obsession with perfection that would become Taylor’s hallmark. This guidance was instrumental in shaping “The Power” into the formidable, title-winning machine he became.
Moments of Perfection: The Nine-Darter King
Taylor wasn’t just about winning; he was about winning with style and unprecedented precision. His career is punctuated by moments of absolute perfection, none more celebrated than his nine-dart finishes:
- In 2002, during the World Matchplay quarter-finals against Chris Mason, Taylor etched his name in history by hitting the first-ever nine-dart finish on Sky Sports in a televised major tournament. This incredible feat earned him a substantial £100,000 prize.
- Even more astonishingly, in the 2010 Premier League final against James Wade, Taylor achieved the unthinkable: he hit two nine-dart finishes in a single match! To this day, he remains the only player ever to accomplish this incredible level of darting mastery.
A Reign Unchallenged: World Championship Dominance
Phil Taylor’s dominance at the PDC World Championship is a record that may never be broken. He holds an incredible 16 World Championship titles, showcasing a sustained period of excellence unmatched by any other player.
His most astounding run saw him win eight successive PDC World titles from 1995 to 2002. This incredible streak was finally broken in 2003 when John Part defeated him in a classic 7-6 final. Taylor’s final World Championship triumph came in 2014, where he defeated Michael van Gerwen with a stunning 107 average, securing his 16th and final world crown.
An Unbreakable Streak: The Premier League Phenomenon
Beyond the World Championship, Taylor also set an almost unimaginable record in the Premier League. Between 2005 and 2008, “The Power” went an incredible 44 matches unbeaten. This remarkable display of consistency and resilience highlights his unparalleled ability to perform at the highest level week after week, a record that is truly difficult to envision any player ever surpassing.
Epic Showdowns: The Finals That Defined an Era
Taylor was not only a winner but also a key participant in some of the most thrilling and memorable PDC World Championship finals:
- 1992 vs. Mike Gregory: An early thriller where Taylor emerged victorious in a tense last-leg decider.
- 2003 vs. John Part: As mentioned, Part ended Taylor’s eight-year reign in an epic 7-6 battle.
- 2004 vs. Kevin Painter: Taylor staged a famous comeback, battling back from 1-4 down in sets to win 7-6.
- 2007 vs. Raymond van Barneveld: Many consider this the greatest PDC World Final of all time. Taylor raced into a three-set lead, only for an inspired “Barney” to level the match and ultimately win a sudden-death leg to claim the title.
- 2014 vs. Michael van Gerwen: In what would be his final World title, Taylor produced some of his best darts, averaging 107 to defeat the emerging talent 7-4, a testament to his enduring class.
The Final Flourish: A Grand Farewell
As Phil Taylor approached the World Matchplay for the final time in 2017, many believed his form was declining and a title win was unlikely. However, “The Power” had one last magical run left in him. To the delight of the Winter Gardens crowd, he delivered a week of exceptional darts.
His most memorable victory came in the quarter-finals, where he delivered a dominant 16-6 performance against Michael van Gerwen, proving he still had what it took to beat the very best. He then comfortably defeated Adrian Lewis in the semi-finals before sealing an incredible 16th Matchplay title with an emphatic 18-8 victory over Peter Wright in the final. This fairytale ending was a fitting tribute to a truly legendary career.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
