World Matchplay

In 2012 the two players who in recent years have dominated the World Matchplay face each other in the final. Phil Taylor is in the final for the fifth time in a row and the thirteenth time in total. The Matchplay 2012 was an edition that will be talked about in years to come, if not for anything else than surely for the fact that a nine darter was thrown twice on stage in Blackpool. Wes Newton does it in his second round match against Justin Pipe, a match which he would not win by the way. Michael van Gerwen repeats the feat in his win over Steve Beaton. Van Gerwen goes on to the quarterfinals where James Wade beats him.

Nevertheless, the World Matchplay of 2012 signals the return of Mighty Mike at the top of the darts world. He wins against Simon Whitlock in the first round, throws the nine darter in round two against Beaton and although he loses to James Wade in the quarterfinals he does so with an average above 100. In the following year Van Gerwen is almost invincible on the floor tournaments and he gets even further titles in the World Grand Prix and the Premier League. Add to this the final of the World Championship and this year is his most successful in the PDC to this date.

Besides Van Gerwen two other Dutch players are in the tournament, Vincent van der Voort and Raymond van Barneveld. Van der Voort is seeded 16th but does not survive the first round against Ian White. Barney is doing slightly better, but Blackpool remains to be hard stage for him. After beating Michael Smith it is Terry Jenkins who beats him in the second round. Jenkins then continues through to the semi-finals, where Wade narrowly outplays him. Ronnie Baxter is another surprising semi-finalist. In his hometown The Rocket beats Dave Chisnall, Dean Winstanley and Justin Pipe before Taylor proves once again to be too strong.