2001 PDC World Darts Championship

The 2001 Skol World Darts championship was held between December 28, 2000 and January 3, 2001 at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet.

The tournament saw a notable first as Gayl King of Canada became the first woman to appear in the men's World Championship, having been given a wild card by organisers the Professional Darts Corporation. It was seen as a publicity stunt by the PDC to raise the profile of the game and also came in the year that rival organisation, the British Darts Organisation had announced that they were starting a Women's World Championship to run alongside the men's championship at Lakeside.

Five-time former World Champion, Eric Bristow missed his first World Championship for 23 years, having played each year since the World Championship began in 1978. John Lowe was now the only player with a 100% appearance record. Peter Manley became the first top seed to go out in the first round since the PDC event began in 1994.

Canadian, John Part - BDO World Champion in the first year after a notorious split in the game finally showed the kind of form that took him to that title back in 1994. Having won only two matches in his previous three attempts at the PDC crown, he defeated Colin Lloyd, Dennis Smith, Alan Warriner and Rod Harrington to reach the final.

But it was Phil Taylor who reigned supreme again winning the title for the seventh successive time, his ninth World Championship. From the quarter-finals onwards, Taylor never lost a single set and dropped just three legs during the final, winning 7 sets to 0.

Tournament Review

Day One

There was drama and excitement on the first day of the Championships. In one of the first games of the tournament, The number 8 seed, Dave Askew came within a dart of recording the first nine-dart-leg since Paul Lim in 1990. He missed out on £100,000. In the end, his match with Mick Manning (World no. 10) was also extremely close, going to a sudden death leg in the 5th and final set. Askew won it to take the first round match by 3 sets to 2.

1995 BDO World Champion Richie Burnett kicked off his campaign with a 3-0 whitewash of the American Steve Brown. Burnett had 2 12-dart legs and finished with an average of 103. 3 years ago, Burnett was unlucky to win BDO World title 2 as he lost 6-5 to Raymond van Barneveld. Alex Roy, also went through to Round 2 with a 3-2 win against Steve Raw, who had recovered from 2-0 down to level the scores.

However a big shock followed, Peter Manley the number 1 seed was eliminated in the first round by world no. 21 Jamie Harvey from Scotland. Manley levelled at 2 sets apiece after trailing 2-0. However, Harvey won set 5 by 3 legs to 1 to book a slot in Round 2. Another shock was to follow, Dennis Priestley 2000 runner-up and seeded 5 went out to Keith Deller, the 1983 World Champion 3-2 in a dramatic final set that went 6-4 to Deller, had it gone 5-5, then a sudden death leg would have taken place. Les Fitton, knocked out Denis Ovens 3-1, whilst 3 time World Champion John Lowe struggled through 3-1 against Gary Spedding who was making his first appearance in the worlds.

Phil Taylor was in impressive form in his bid to win his ninth world title. He won 3-0 versus Nigel Justice, winning with a 151 checkout against the Englishman.

Day Two

Friday began with the Number 2 seed and 1993 world finalist Alan Warriner defeating Reg Harding by 3 sets to nil. Despite struggling to take the first set against a player with two broken ribs. Cliff Lazarenko started off his world title campaign with a 3-0 win over Canadian Scott Cummings. Paul Lim from Singapore whom 11 years ago made a nine-dart finish, the only one in the World championships in history went through to face Warriner in the second round after defeating Dan Lauby 3-1.

Then came the big match of the round, Graeme Stoddart against Gayl King. King started well taking a 1-0 lead against Stoddart who then recovered to win 3-1. And promptly then called for a championship to be held for women only and one for men only. (A BDO women's one takes place whilst at the Lakeside during the Worlds week.) Rod Harrington then kicked off his campaign to reach a second final at the Circus with a 3-1 win over 1988 champion Bob Anderson.

In other games, John Part began his tournament with a 3-0 win over Colin Lloyd. Dennis Smith would be his round 2 opponent after Smith eliminated former World number 2 Peter Evison in the first round by 3-0. Then another seed went out, Shayne Burgess was defeated 3-0 by Roland Scholten. Scholten being very impressive in the three sets that were played, One leg being won in 11 darts.

Day Three

Saturday saw all eight second round matches played, Still over the best of 5 sets. Alan Warriner booked his place in the quarter-finals with a hardfought 3-2 win over Paul Lim, who had chances aplenty to send the 2nd seed for the championships out of the tournament. Warriner took the fifth set by five legs to three. Phil Taylor also struggled into the quarter-finals, Les Fitton taking a 1 set to 0 lead in their second round match. Taylor then recovered to take the match by 3 sets to 1 and extended his winning streak on stage at the Circus to 32 matches and 36 wins from 37 in total; His 94 final loss 6-1 v Dennis Priestley the only loss. Dave Askew nearly went out to Alex Roy, the number 8 seed winning 6 legs in a row to triumph 3-2 over Roy who seems to have great potential to do well in future.

7th Seed John Part, also went through but could have walked off 10-15 minutes earlier a 3-1 winner over Dennis Smith. In the end, Part won 3-1 in the fourth to win the match by 3 sets to 2. Roland Scholten completed a second consecutive 3-0 win to become the only man through with a 6-0 record. Today's victim being Cliff Lazarenko. In a battle of two former world champions. Keith Deller taking a second 3-2 win to end the challenge of Wales' Richie Burnett. Rod Harrington also went through, the home man winning 3-0 against Graeme Stoddart.

Jamie Harvey continued his run at the Circus, defeating former champion John Lowe by 3-0.

Day Five

After a day off for New Year's eve, The World Darts Championships started 2001 at the quarter-final stage. Matches now had been extended to the best of 7 sets (first to 4) for the quarter-finals and this is where the potential champions begin to show their proper darts.

Phil Taylor continued his march to his 9th crown with a 4-0 whitewash of 1983 world champion Keith Deller, who played well short of his best. Taylor was now the big favourite to win his 9th world title. John Part caused a surprise by knocking out 2nd seed Alan Warriner by a very easy 4-1. Part continuing his run towards a second world title. Jamie Harvey's great run came to an end, losing 4-0 to Dave Askew, winning just 2 out of 14 legs that were played.

Rod Harrington delighted the home fans by eliminating Roland Scholten 4-2 in a very tough game to call. He will now face John Part for a place in a second World final.

Day Six

Semi-Finals. Phil Taylor started off where he left off from last night and took his place in a 10th world final by ending the brilliant run of Dave Askew the 8th seed in a 6-0 whitewash. Then the second semi brought drama.

Part seeded 7, started off brilliantly, taking a 5-2 lead against the 6th seeded Harrington. Then Harrington turned it around to level up at 5 all and delight the locals. The final set began by Part taking a 122 checkout to go one nil up. Two legs later and Part misses double 16 to go through. Harrington takes double top to force a 2 clear leg situation. Part winning both with an average checkout of 123.5.

Day Seven

Part possibly suffered the effects from the previous night and was unable to perform to his best against Taylor. The Canadian managed to win just three legs during the whole match and Taylor winning ran out a comfortable winner in the end by 7 sets to 0.

Results

32TeamBracket-Compact | RD1=First Round
Thu 28 Dec to Fri 29 Dec
RD2= Second Round
Sat 30 Dec
RD3= Quarter Finals
Mon 1 Jan
RD4= Semi Finals
Tue 2 Jan
RD5= Final
Wed 3 Jan
score-width=15
RD1-seed01=1
RD1-team01=flagicon|EnglandPeter Manley88.71
RD1-score01=2
RD1-seed02=
RD1-team02=flagicon|ScotlandJamie Harvey86.27
RD1-score02=3
RD1-seed03=
RD1-team03=flagicon|EnglandJohn Lowe82.43
RD1-score03=3
RD1-seed04=
RD1-team04=flagicon|EnglandGarry Spedding76.13
RD1-score04=1
RD1-seed05=
RD1-team05=flagicon|EnglandAlex Roy87.56
RD1-score05=3
RD1-seed06=
RD1-team06=flagicon|EnglandSteve Raw83.35
RD1-score06=2
RD1-seed07=
RD1-team07=flagicon|EnglandMick Manning78.24
RD1-score07=2
RD1-seed08=8
RD1-team08=flagicon|EnglandDave Askew80.03
RD1-score08=3
RD1-seed09=5
RD1-team09=flagicon|EnglandDennis Priestley93.71
RD1-score09=2
RD1-seed10=
RD1-team10=flagicon|EnglandKeith Deller86.32
RD1-score10=3
RD1-seed11=
RD1-team11=flagicon|WalesRichie Burnett92.19
RD1-score11=3
RD1-seed12=
RD1-team12=flagicon|USASteve Brown87.94
RD1-score12=2
RD1-seed13=
RD1-team13=flagicon|EnglandDenis Ovens91.82
RD1-score13=1
RD1-seed14=
RD1-team14=flagicon|EnglandLes Fitton84.47
RD1-score14=3
RD1-seed15=
RD1-team15=flagicon|EnglandNigel Justice77.82
RD1-score15=0
RD1-seed16=4
RD1-team16=flagicon|EnglandPhil Taylor92.68
RD1-score16=3
RD1-seed17=3
RD1-team17=flagicon|EnglandShayne Burgess92.78
RD1-score17=0
RD1-seed18=
RD1-team18=flagicon|NetherlandsRoland Scholten90.65
RD1-score18=3
RD1-seed19=
RD1-team19=flagicon|EnglandCliff Lazarenko88.57
RD1-score19=3
RD1-seed20=
RD1-team20=flagicon|CanadaScott Cummings82.13
RD1-score20=0
RD1-seed21=
RD1-team21=flagicon|EnglandGraeme Stoddart78.20
RD1-score21=3
RD1-seed22=
RD1-team22=flagicon|CanadaGayl King (f)72.64
RD1-score22=1
RD1-seed23=
RD1-team23=flagicon|EnglandBob Anderson89.01
RD1-score23=1
RD1-seed24=6
RD1-team24=flagicon|EnglandRod Harrington91.94
RD1-score24=3
RD1-seed25=7
RD1-team25=flagicon|CanadaJohn Part90.85
RD1-score25=3
RD1-seed26=
RD1-team26=flagicon|EnglandColin Lloyd87.40
RD1-score26=0
RD1-seed27=
RD1-team27=flagicon|EnglandDennis Smith89.41
RD1-score27=3
RD1-seed28=
RD1-team28=flagicon|EnglandPeter Evison92.13
RD1-score28=0
RD1-seed29=
RD1-team29=flagicon|SingaporePaul Lim74.24
RD1-score29=3
RD1-seed30=
RD1-team30=flagicon|USADan Lauby68.89
RD1-score30=1
RD1-seed31=
RD1-team31=flagicon|EnglandReg Harding79.77
RD1-score31=0
RD1-seed32=2
RD1-team32=flagicon|EnglandAlan Warriner88.71
RD1-score32=3
RD2-seed01=
RD2-team01=flagicon|ScotlandJamie Harvey86.92
RD2-score01=3
RD2-seed02=
RD2-team02=flagicon|EnglandJohn Lowe90.81
RD2-score02=0
RD2-seed03=
RD2-team03=flagicon|EnglandAlex Roy82.98
RD2-score03=2
RD2-seed04=8
RD2-team04=flagicon|EnglandDave Askew86.40
RD2-score04=3
RD2-seed05=
RD2-team05=flagicon|EnglandKeith Deller89.56
RD2-score05=3
RD2-seed06=
RD2-team06=flagicon|WalesRichie Burnett86.92
RD2-score06=2
RD2-seed07=
RD2-team07=flagicon|EnglandLes Fitton91.36
RD2-score07=1
RD2-seed08=4
RD2-team08=flagicon|EnglandPhil Taylor97.32
RD2-score08=3
RD2-seed09=
RD2-team09=flagicon|NetherlandsRoland Scholten94.82
RD2-score09=3
RD2-seed10=
RD2-team10=flagicon|EnglandCliff Lazarenko89.45
RD2-score10=0
RD2-seed11=
RD2-team11=flagicon|EnglandGraeme Stoddart84.11
RD2-score11=0
RD2-seed12=6
RD2-team12=flagicon|EnglandRod Harrington95.73
RD2-score12=3
RD2-seed13=7
RD2-team13=flagicon|CanadaJohn Part94.98
RD2-score13=3
RD2-seed14=
RD2-team14=flagicon|EnglandDennis Smith91.33
RD2-score14=2
RD2-seed15=
RD2-team15=flagicon|SingaporePaul Lim83.71
RD2-score15=2
RD2-seed16=2
RD2-team16=flagicon|EnglandAlan Warriner90.84
RD2-score16=3
RD3-seed01=
RD3-team01=flagicon|ScotlandJamie Harvey88.96
RD3-score01=0
RD3-seed02=8
RD3-team02=flagicon|EnglandDave Askew91.32
RD3-score02=4
RD3-seed03=
RD3-team03=flagicon|EnglandKeith Deller86.29
RD3-score03=0
RD3-seed04=4
RD3-team04=flagicon|EnglandPhil Taylor102.31
RD3-score04=4
RD3-seed05=
RD3-team05=flagicon|NetherlandsRoland Scholten86.42
RD3-score05=2
RD3-seed06=6
RD3-team06=flagicon|EnglandRod Harrington90.95
RD3-score06=4
RD3-seed07=7
RD3-team07=flagicon|CanadaJohn Part96.48
RD3-score07=4
RD3-seed08=2
RD3-team08=flagicon|EnglandAlan Warriner92.78
RD3-score08=1
RD4-seed01=8
RD4-team01=flagicon|EnglandDave Askew91.34
RD4-score01=0
RD4-seed02=4
RD4-team02=flagicon|EnglandPhil Taylor102.81
RD4-score02=6
RD4-seed03=6
RD4-team03=flagicon|EnglandRod Harrington92.87
RD4-score03=5
RD4-seed04=7
RD4-team04=flagicon|CanadaJohn Part95.64
RD4-score04=6
RD5-seed01=4
RD5-team01= flagicon|England Phil Taylor107.58
RD5-score01=7
RD5-seed02=7
RD5-team02=flagicon|CanadaJohn Part92.44
RD5-score02=0