The first edition of the World Darts Trophy was held in 2002 at the Vechtsebanen in Utrecht. At the first tournament, featuring a field of 32 players. World Champion Tony David claimed victory. The Australian ace defeated Tony O’Shea in the final, who reached his first major TV final.
Six Dutchmen and two Belgians played in the first round. Raymond van Barneveld, who lost to O’Shea in the semi-final, Jan van der Rassel, Jean-Paul van Acker, Vincent van der Voort, Frans Harmsen and Co Stompé competed under the Dutch flag. Erik Clarys and John Snijers were the Belgian players. Only Stompé managed to reach the second round besides Van Barneveld, losing 3-1 to Wayne Jones in round two.