World Darts Championships: Phil Taylor could go out on extraordinary high

Phil Taylor in action during his World Championship quarter-final match against Gary Anderson. Photo / Getty

Michael van Gerwen's surprising semifinal defeat in the PDC World Darts Championships said it all about Phil Taylor.

The old king Taylor, 57, will step up on Tuesday morning (NZT) for one last major shot at glory against fellow Englishman Rob Cross, a former electrician and "darting nobody" a year ago.

Taylor, who has transcended his sport, has long been able to find the magic when it counted most. In contrast van Gerwen — a semifinal loser to Cross — has had trouble turning his astonishing dominance into world titles, emphasising how tough it is at the top.

Taylor's shadow has just got even longer.

Taylor wanted to retire from the big tournaments a few years ago but was persuaded to carry on by Barry Hearn, the meticulous accountant with a showman's touch who took darts out of the back room and made it a surprise arena hit full of razzmatazz.

But Taylor is now sticking to his retirement plan and can go out on an extraordinary high by winning his 17th world title at Alexandra Palace tomorrow in London.

He last won the title in 2013, has made "only" one final since, but has roared again.

Taylor said: "The last person Barry Hearn or Sky Sports want to win this world title is me because I will not be here to defend it next year. That would give Barry the biggest headache he's ever had."

For some years, promoter Hearn's biggest headache was contemplating a tour without "The Power".

Darts had produced memorable characters over the years, including larger than life Eric Bristow and the commentator Sid Waddell, who was full of eccentric lines such as "he's burning the midnight oil at both ends".

Taylor was a whole new board game though.

To observe the world's best players in hotel lobbies and the like, Taylor appears little different from his fellow smock-clad stars, apart from having personal assistant Bob Glenn alongside.

Look at the numbers though, and Taylor is on a different planet.

There are 80-plus major titles, 16 world titles including eight in a row, and 14 consecutive world finals.

Victory in his last big final would put his career earnings around $15m, with van Gerwen next on $9m.

Taylor's world title tally is beyond reach, the next best being Bristow and Dutch veteran Raymond van Barneveld on five.

A poor upbringing fired Taylor's will to work and win, but he told the Guardian: "People think that being rich is all about having money. But the times I've had the most money is when I've been unhappiest. Money brings jealousy and bitterness."

Life on the darts road — and there is a lot of driving — is tiring although he is chauffeured by Glenn.

"It's easier to count the nights at home," he said a year ago.

"Sixty or 70 at home the entire year. I've been around the world twice lately. The appeal is not there anymore.

"Don't get me wrong. I've enjoyed it. But I'm getting to be an old feller. I'll keep playing — just much less," Taylor said.

A fairly recent divorce and his mother's death are said to have wearied Taylor.

But he's still travelling. Upcoming exhibition matches include those in Timaru and Wellington.