It is darts traditional down time – the month of August, when batteries are recharged and players look forward to the second half of the year.
But one big question remains – can anyone stop Phil Taylor and his relentless pursuit of more darting glory in 2010 and 2011?
“I am looking forward to a bit of time off, a nice holiday and I will come back in September ready and raring to go,” Taylor said.
Fresh from his latest title – a third consecutive European Championship – he is already planning for the big challenges ahead.
In September, the third Championship League Darts kicks-off in Essex – the internet only tournament – and Taylor is targeting that title again, after he was beaten in the 2009 Final by Unicorn stablemate Colin Osborne.
In October, it’s Dublin and the World Grand Prix, then the Grand Slam of Darts IV at Wolverhampton in November and of course in December, Taylor hits the road for the Alexandra Palace and his chase of what would be a remarkable 16th World Championship.
“As always at this time of the year, I start thinking about the World Championship and all that I do from now on, is tailored towards December and the Ally Pally,” he added.
“I am thrilled to have won the three big titles over the summer at Bolton, Blackpool and in Germany and it was hard work. I had some tough games but it is very satisfying to find a way to win.”
“The fact that Barney is back and firing will make things very interesting for the rest of the year. It looks like we will be seeded to meet in the World Championship Final in January and if that happened, it would be brilliant,” Taylor said.
Taylor remains £750,000 ahead of Barneveld in the latest PDC Order of Merit after his victory over Wayne Jones in the final of the European Championship in Dinslaken.
The complete top ten in the World rankings is:
1) Phil Taylor
2) Raymond van Barneveld
3) James Wade
4) Mervyn King
5) Terry Jenkins
6) Ronnie Baxter
7) Simon Whitlock
8) Colin Lloyd
9) Mark Walsh
10) Adrian Lewis
Terry Jenkins important run to the semi-finals has helped his cause but Adrian Lewis could soon drop out of the top 10 because of his recent poor form.
Here is how the rest of Team Unicorn is faring in the World rankings….
Andy Hamilton is 11th with Colin Osborne 12th….Paul Nicholson is at No.16, Kevin Painter No.17 and Wes Newton is 22nd.
Jamie Caven’s run to the quarter-finals in Germany has seen him jump to a career high 24th in the world, but John Part is down to 31st and is in big danger of dropping out of the elite top 32 for the first time in his long and illustrious career.
The three-times World Champion has it all to do over the next few months!
Welshman Barrie Bates is now at No.32, with Peter Manley 35th and Kirk Shepherd 41st….Mick McGowan has slipped to No.59, Gary Mawson is 75th, Joe Cullen 76th and Arron Monk is 91st, while Anastasia is at No.106
In August, there are only three tournaments….the PDC Pro Tour heads Down Under for the Australian Open Players Championship on August 22 and the following weekend, there is a Players Championship double-header in Canada, including the Canadian Masters.
They will be crucial events for Part, who knows victory in one of his ‘home’ tournaments would secure him a spot in Dublin for the World Grand Prix and also guarantee his place at the World Championship as well.
The circus is back in the UK on September 4 and 5 with tournaments in Crawley, while Championship League Darts starts again at Crondon Park on September 7.
The next big TV ‘Major’ comes from the City West Hotel in Dublin, with the World Grand Prix starting on October 4.
By STUART PYKE (Twitter @stuartpykesport)
Photo courtesy Chris Sargeant.