That is the question the world of darts is asking!
After Phil Taylor’s stunning victory at the Grand Slam, is there anyone who can stop the great man making it SEVEN Major titles in six months?
His fourth GSOD triumph in five years has come hot on the heels of his convincing wins at the World Matchplay, European Championship, World Grand Prix and of course, Championship League Darts.
Next on the Taylor hit-list the Players Championship Finals and then the big one – the World Championship at the Alexandra Palace…..
His demolition of Gary Anderson in the all Unicorn Grand Slam Final was surely up there with the best that we have ever seen.
“I reckon so,” admitted Taylor. “I think that is as good as it gets. I don’t think I can do better than that! But it was pretty good wasn’t it!?”
Well, he can say that again….60 minutes of sensational darts.
“And if I play like that I think I can win the World Championship again and that is what it’s all about,” he added.
Taylor was actually disappointed that he just failed to register a world record average for a ‘Major’ TV Final…..he was on course to do just that in the final leg, but missed a few doubles before finally hitting D2 for an average of 109.03
The World record is 111.67 in the Premier League Final against James Wade, when he hit those two 9-darters, closely followed by the 110.94 he hit in the World Championship Final against Raymond van Barneveld three years ago.
And there will be not let up for the rest of the darting world either, because Taylor is heading for Wigan this weekend for the Players Championship double-header!
“It is all part of my preparation towards Doncaster and the Players Championship Finals and the World Championship. That is what the last six months has been all about – getting ready for the Ally Pally and getting my hands back on the World Championship Trophy.
After that barren 12 month spell without a ‘Major’ – Taylor has set about winning them all back…..he has done with the World Grand Prix, CL Darts and now the Grand Slam.
And he is already odds-on favourite with the bookies to win a 16th World Championship in the New Year.
“I think the difference is that I am feeling relaxed. I don’t feel the pressure because I tell myself that if I don’t win, then I will just move onto the next one….I am enjoying life and that is showing in my darts,” he said.
Taylor also praised Anderson saying that the Scot would win many big TV titles in time and he also predicted that Anderson would one day be crowned World Champion…..”but not this time around!” he joked.
The Players Championship Finals start on December 8 on ITV4 and of course, the World Championship kicks-off on Sky Sports HD on December 15.
By STUART PYKE
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lusig / PDC