World champion drops just one leg in brilliant display
Phil Taylor claimed a third successive PartyPoker.net European Championship with an 11-1 demolition of Wayne Jones at the Stadthalle in Dinslaken.
The world number one followed up his 11-10 win over Terry Jenkins in the semi-finals with a superb display to see off Jones by dropping just one leg in the final.
When Jones missed one dart to take the first leg on double top, Taylor pounced on double eight to break throw and set the tone for the final, with finishes of double seven, double four, double three and double seven putting him into a 5-0 lead at the first break.
Double six put him further ahead and he took advantage of a missed double 12 from the Wolverhampton man to lead 7-0 before a miss at double top allowed Jones to take out 116 on double 18 to get on the scoreboard in superb fashion.
Taylor replied in style, opening the next leg with a 180 and taking out 81 for a 12-darter, before finishing 121 for a 9-1 cushion.
Jones hit a second maximum of the game to leave a finish in the 11th leg, but Taylor clinically dispatched 84 for an 11-darter before sealing the win on double 14.
"I'm delighted to win another title, especially so soon after winning the World Matchplay last week," said Taylor.
"While the World Matchplay is one game a day, this is one of the hardest tournaments to win because you've got tough short matches early on and three games in one day to win it.
"You have to be mentally and physically fit as well as playing well and I loved every minute of it.
"Terry had me on the ropes in the semi-finals but I was delighted with my last leg. I calmed myself down and started off with the 177 and that killed him in and probably won me the match.
Momentum
"Going straight into the final did me a favour because I had momentum and I kept Wayne under pressure all the way through. It's been a perfect summer for me."
Taylor had opened the day with a 10-4 quarter-final win over Mark Walsh, which followed his earlier victories over Co Stompe and Andy Smith.
The £50,000 first prize adds to the £100,000 he picked up for winning the World Matchplay, as well as ensuring a clean sweep of the summer's major ranking titles after also claiming June's UK Open.
Jones had overcome Colin Lloyd 11-10 in the semis to reach his first major PDC final and his first televised final since the 1999 World Masters.
The Wolverhampton man picked up £20,000 following a fine tournament in Germany, as he followed his quarter-final run in the World Matchplay by defeating Adrian Lewis, Robert Thornton, Raymond van Barneveld and Lloyd.
"To lose the final by such a big margin is obviously disappointing for me but it's a very memorable weekend," said Jones. "Phil was superb and there wasn't a lot I could do about him.
"But to beat some of the world's top ten this weekend has been fantastic, I'm playing well and finally enjoying being on the big stage."
Jones also qualifies for November's Grand Slam of Darts in his home town of Wolverhampton, and added: "That's a massive boost on top of reaching the final. I love playing in front of my home fans and can't wait to do it again later this year."
Phil is still using his golden Phase 5 darts - if you want to play with the same darts as 'The Power' click here
