1994 World Matchplay Darts

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The 1994 Proton Cars World Matchplay was the inaugural World Matchplay darts tournament organised by the World Darts Council (WDC, which became the Professional Darts Corporation in 1997).

American Larry Butler was a surprise winner of the tournament and defeated World Champion Dennis Priestley in the final by 16 legs to 12 having beaten Steve Raw, Jerry Umberger, Jocky Wilson and Shayne Burgess on his way to the final. 1992 World Champion Phil Taylor lost to 1988 World Champion Bob Anderson in the second round and 1993 World Champion John Lowe was surprisingly defeated 3-8 by Gerald Verrier in the first round.

The tournament differed from the World Championship by having a matchplay format of legs, rather than sets (which consist of best of 5 legs). Because the player who throws first in a leg has an advantage over his opponent, the format insisted on a player having to win by two clear legs to claim the match. This resulted in the second round clash between Keith Deller and Jim Watkins actually running longer than the final. Watkins eventually won 18-16 in a match that should have been the first to eight legs.

It was the second tournament to be organised by the WDC since 16 players separated from the British Darts Organisation the previous year. The tournament was broadcast on satellite channel Sky Sports in its entirety. Commentator Sid Waddell switched from BBC television and made his Sky debut at this event.

It was staged at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool which became the traditional home of the event.

[edit] Results

1st Round best of 15 legs					2nd Round best of 15 legs					Quarter Finals best of 21 legs					Semi Finals best of 21 legs					Final best of 31 legs
	Phil Taylor	8
	Tom Kirby	2				Taylor	9
	Bob Anderson	8				Anderson	11*
	Mick Manning	4									Anderson	8
	Shayne Burgess	9*									Burgess	11
	Sean Downs	7				Burgess	8
	Dennis Smith	8				Dennis Smith	4
	Davy Kelly	2														Burgess	7
	Jocky Wilson	8														Butler	11
	Peter Evison	3				Wilson	10*
	Alan Warriner	6				Warriner	8
	Richie Gardner	8									Wilson	4
	Larry Butler	8									Butler	11
	Steve Raw	2				Butler	8
	Jerry Umberger	5				Umberger	2
	Cliff Lazarenko	8																			Butler	16
	Rod Harrington	5																			Priestley	12
	Kevin Burrows	8				Harrington	8
	Paul Lim	8				Lim	4
	Tony Payne	4									Harrington	11
	Jim Watkins	8									Watkins	7
	Steve Brown	3				Watkins	18*
	Keith Deller	8				Deller	16
	Jim Widmayer	6														Harrington	7
	Jamie Harvey	8														Priestley	11
	Kevin Spiolek	2				Harvey	8
	Graeme Stoddart	8				Stoddart	3
	Whit Whitley	2									Harvey	4
	Gerald Verrier	8									Priestley	11
	John Lowe	3				Verrier	4
	Dennis Priestley	8				Priestley	8
	Eric Bristow	3

Players must win by two clear legs. Match winners under tie-break rule indicated by asterisk.

[edit] See also

• PDC World Matchplay Championship - history of event including previous winners.

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