The 28th edition of the Winmau World Masters became a Dutch party. Raymond van Barneveld had been world champion two times already, but reached the semi finals in the Masters just once.
Besides Van Barneveld, Finnish ace Jarkko Komula played an extraordinary tournament at the Lakeside Country Club. Smiley defeats several big names in a row. In the last 16 he beats the man who was almost invincible the twelve months before; John Walton. After that, Bob Taylor and Andy Fordham are being defeated. In the final, Van Barneveld is too strong for him. The Dutchman wins 4-2 in sets. Barney sends Richie Burnett, Mensur Suljovic and Wayne Mardle home as well.