THE World Seniors Darts Championship is set to kick-off TODAY at the iconic Circus Tavern in Essex.
The championship features veteran darts players, over the age of 50, battling it out for a huge £50,000 prize.
Veteran Phil Taylor, also known as “The Power”, is one of the most successful darts players of all time.
The Power won the World Championship a record 16 times, the most of any player in history, and made the final 21 times.
The darting scene has seen a huge uptick in interest since the debut of teenage sensation Luke Littler – but Taylor is one of the pioneers of the sport.
In fact, the 64-year-old was one of the founders of the PDC in 1993.
During his peak, Taylor appeared in the World Darts Championship final EVERY YEAR between 1994 and 2007, losing just three times.
He was beaten by Dennis Preiestley, John Part and Raymond van Barneveld.
His final win in the tournament came in 2013 against Michael van Gerwen, while his last final appearance was against Rob Cross in 2018 in a 7-2 loss to the current world number four.
Phil Taylor’s glittering career
Phil Taylor quit his day job in the ceramic industry to become a full-time darts player in 1987 and went on to establish himself as a legend of the sport.
He dominated darts for over two decades, winning 214 professional tournaments – including 85 major titles and a record 16 World Championships.
The Power won his first World Championship in 1990, three years after becoming a professional player, and clinched his second two years later.
He then won eight consecutive world titles from 1995 to 2002.
Among his incredible list of accolades are 16 World Matchplay titles, 11 World Grand Prix titles, five UK Open titles, four European Championship titles and six Grand Slam titles.
Taylor also won six Premier League titles, four Championship League titles, five Desert Classic titles. two US Open titles, a UK Masters title and a World Masters title.
His incredible achievements saw him nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2006 and 2010, finishing as runner-up in the latter year.
Taylor won his last World Championship in 2013.
Is Phil Taylor playing at the World Senior Darts Championship?
In short, no, Phil Taylor won’t be playing at the World Senior Darts Championship.
The legendary Taylor was also due to compete in the World Senior Masters in November, but pulled out due to a hip injury.
The Power has not appeared in a major PDC tournament since 2018, but has been a regular on the senior scene.
However, Taylor has now fully retired from darts, as his hip injury became too much for him to play through anymore.
Will Phil Taylor ever play darts again?
Taylor is unlikely to ever play darts again – but did hint he’d be back if a mega-money offer came in.
He said: “Would I come back? I would ask to be sent some darts and a dartboard, definitely.
“I think also, if it does go to Saudi Arabia, I wouldn’t put it past Barry [Hearn] – £10million for the winner.
“I think Saudi Arabia is that big of a sports country now, I think they could make it £10m.
“That’s how big I think Barry will make it. I’ll be doing something, trust me.”
How to watch the World Senior Darts Championship and is there a live stream
- BBC Sport will offer coverage of the Senior Darts Championship.
- Coverage will come via the BBC iPlayer or the BBC Red Button.
- Action from the iconic Circus Tavern will take place between Wednesday, February 19 and Saturday, February 22.
- Phil Taylor will not feature at this year’s tournament.
