1999 is the year that the placings are extended to 32 players. This also means there are no more poul matches, but it’s knockout from the get-go. It doesn’t matter much for the end result, because it’s still Taylor who appears unbeatable. For the first time in 4 years it’s not Dennis Priestley who will compete against him in the finale, because Priestley loses in the first round, But Peter Manley. Even still, Manley too has to watch how Phil Taylor beats him with 6-2.
Rod Harrington is number 1 of the world during the PDC WC of 1999, but he plays a moderate WC. He does win the first round off of Alex Roy, but a round later Shayne Burgess knocks him off the playing field. Even with the knockout system, the PDC WC remains predictable, with 3 of the 4 high placed players in the semi finales.