PDC World Darts Championship Final – Phil Taylor v Simon Whitlock

Phil Taylor v Simon Whitlock
PDC Darts World Championship Final
Sunday, January 3rd

The darts powerhouse that is Phil Taylor has done it again. He has reached the final of the PDC Darts World Championship as goes I search of his 15th World title. After beating his protégé Adrian Lewis, and then destroying Mark Webster 6-0 in the semi finals, Taylor cruised his way through Sunday’s final. Everything was looking on course for a Phil Taylor v  Raymond van Barneveld final, but it was not to be, as there was a big  shock in the other semi final.

The big Dutchman, Raymond van Barneveld, who has apparently been struggling with diabetes through the tournament, could not quite pull through his semi final match. Despite being in a strong position of being four sets to two up, Simon Whitlock (aka The Wizard – if you want to know why, take a look at a picture of him), who is making his debut in the PDC Darts World Championships, staged a massive comeback to take the match 6-5. He himself had to hold off a late comeback by Barneveld, but held on a nail-biter.

Maybe the result should not have been as much as a surprise, as Australian Whitlock also knocked out third seed James Wade in the Quarter Finals, so he’s certainly doing things the hard way. So, now it will be Sunday’s showcase in which Whitlock has to take on and try and beat the best in the World. Phil Taylor has “been there and done it” several times over, and having one lost one set in the whole of the tournament, looks in some staggeringly impressive and inspirational form. With nerves coming into play in the big final, Taylor will also have the edge there as well. In terms of maximums, Taylor has hit ten 180’s, while Whitlock has mustered up just the one.

Phil “The Power” Taylor, will start as overwhelmingly strong favourite in the two horse race, and it is hard to raise any argument against him taking his 15th World Title. The bookies have him all at short odds against the debutant, and Whitlock, looking nervous in his semi final, will really have his work cut out as he steps up to the oche.

Phil Taylor to win: 1/10 at Paddy Power
Simon Whitlock to win: 11/2 at SkyBet