Taylor waves goodbye to Dublin tournament.
11 times World Grand Prix champion Phil “The Power” Taylor has withdrawn from this year tournament. It was announced as the full lineups were announced on the PDC’s social media platforms on Monday morning. It saw the seeding of 4 which Taylor would have had should he participated given to Adrian Lewis.
The 56 year old Potter announced in January that he was to retire from professional darts following the end of the 2018 World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace over Christmas.
This means that his first round defeat to Steve West is the last he will play in Dublin a tournament which he won 11 times but his last title came in 2013 when he ruthlessly dispatched of Dave “Chizzy” Chisnall 6-0 in the final with his opponent winning just 2 legs throughout that affair.
The decision means that the champion of 2 years ago Robert Thornton gets a invite after being the highest ranked order of merit player not to have qualified following his slump in form after beating van Gerwen 2 years ago.
But for Taylor he will focus on his last few televised tournaments before his impending retirement at the turn of the year.
Henry Deacon
Henry Deacon Media 