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.200 is the first year a Dutchman makes his way to the PDC WC stage. Braulin Roncero is the man with the honours. Roncero plays an exquisite match, but meets a competitor of greatness in Dennis Priestley. Roncero loses 2-3, but Priestley would later play in the finales. For the 5th time in 7 years the finalists consist of Dennis Priestley and Phil Taylor. It would also be the last time the two men would meet each other in a finale. Even still, Taylor yet again shows he is the best, and takes home his 8th world title. The ease in which Taylor is winning these is starting to become worrying. Up until the finale he doesn’t lose a single set, and even there he wins with a mayor difference of 7-3.
The surprise in 2000 comes in the form of Dennis Smith. Smiffy reaches the semi finales, beating Cliff Lazareko, John Part and John Lowe, but meets the unchained Phil Taylor there, who hasn’t had an average below 103 the entire tournament, with exception of the finale.