The Lakeside World Professional Darts Championship 2014 was held from January 4 till 12. For the first time there were 40 men playing on stage at the Lakeside Country Club. Besides the top 28 in the world and four qualifiers, for the first time eight "international players' participated from regions like North America, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Vicory goes to the number one seed Stephen Bunting who conforms his status as outright favorite. In the final Bunting beats the surprising Alan Norris, who had ended chances of a title repeat of Scott Waites in the first round. Bunting does let any of his opponents come really througout the whole tournament although in the final Norris stays with Bunting till 3 all.
In addition to the elimination in the first round of the defending champion the number three in the world Tony O'Shea also goes out in that round. The 2012 world champion Christian Kist also lose in the first round, although it is his second game since he had to play a preliminary game. The number 2 seed James Wilson is too strong for Kist.
Best Dutchman in 2014 is Jan Dekker who reaches the semi-finals. He beats Martin Adams in the quarterfinals, but must bow down to Alan Norris in the semi’s in a deciding set.
Of the international players, no one survives his first two matches but a number of players do make a good impression. Martin Atkins must forfeit his match in the second round when he is 0-2 down against Rick Hofstra. Atkins has an injury to the throwing arm and can not continue.