1998 World Matchplay

The 1998 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. The tournament ran from 27 July–1 August 1998, and was won by Rod Harrington.

1998 World Matchplay
Tournament information
Dates27 July–1 August 1998
VenueWinter Gardens
LocationBlackpool
Country England
Organisation(s)PDC
FormatLegs
Prize fund£58,000
Winner's share£14,000
High checkout167 England Alan Warriner
Champion(s)
England Rod Harrington
«1997 1999»

A classic final between Harrington and Ronnie Baxter was characterised with deadly finishing from Baxter, who led the final for most of the way, and Harrington's stubbornness in clinging on and keeping the match neck-and-neck. However, Harrington eventually trailed 14–17 and was only 1 leg from defeat. Baxter had a championship dart at double 20 in the 33rd leg but missed. At 17-17, a moment of significant darting history occurred when Harrington took out 125 via treble 15 and two consecutive double 20s. The standard check out route on 80 with two darts in hand had been, up to this point, almost invariably treble 20 and double ten. From then on, it would become more common to see players attempt the Harrington route. With Baxter (who had looked likely to regain the lead) demoralised, Harrington maintained a clear lead throughout the next leg, and sealed the title on double five.

Phil Taylor was the reigning champion going into the tournament, but lost 10-13 to Baxter in the quarter finals. Taylor had led 9-5 and 10-8.

Prize money

The prize fund was £58,000.

Position (no. of players) Prize money
(Total: £58,000)
Winner (1) £14,000
Runner-Up (1) £7,000
Semi-finalists (2) £3,500
Quarter-finalists (4) £2,000
Second round (8) £1,250
First round (16) £750

Seeds

Results

First round (best of 15 legs)
26–27 July
Second round (best of 15 legs)
28 July
Quarter-finals (best of 25 legs)
29–30 July
Semi-finals (best of 25 legs)
31 July
Final (best of 35 legs)
1 August
               
1 England Rod Harrington 92.04 8
England Kevin Spiolek 86.79 4
1 England Rod Harrington 91.32 8
United States Gary Mawson 86.73 6
  United States Gary Mawson 89.82 9
United States Paul Lim 88.32 7
1 England Rod Harrington 92.04 14
England Bob Anderson 89.88 12
8 United States Steve Brown 87.09 8
England Dennis Smith 83.55 4
8 United States Steve Brown 93.96 4
England Bob Anderson 92.13 8
  England Bob Anderson 85.62 8
England Cliff Lazarenko 81.75 2
1 England Rod Harrington 92.82 13
England Keith Deller 82.65 10
5 England Peter Evison 95.64 4
England Keith Deller 94.80 8
  England Keith Deller 81.12 8
England Mick Manning 90.21 6
  England Mick Manning 91.32 9
England Reg Harding 89.70 7
England Keith Deller 84.36 13
4 England Peter Manley 89.07 9
4 England Peter Manley 91.02 8
England Ritchie Gardner 83.73 5
4 England Peter Manley 90.99 8
Scotland Jamie Harvey 92.16 6
  Scotland Jamie Harvey 87.15 8
England Steve Raw 91.08 6
1 England Rod Harrington 95.04 19
England Ronnie Baxter 94.08 17
2 England Alan Warriner 92.46 8
England Harry Robinson 78.00 2
2 England Alan Warriner 93.69 7
England Steve Beaton 88.95 9
  England Steve Beaton 87.30 8
England Shayne Burgess 87.06 4
  England Steve Beaton 89.07 6
England Chris Mason 94.20 13
7 Canada John Part 87.18 5
England Chris Mason 90.78 8
  England Chris Mason 77.61 8
United States Gerald Verrier 68.19 3
  United States Gerald Verrier 76.14 8
England Eric Bristow 73.44 5
  England Chris Mason 97.74 11
England Ronnie Baxter 97.38 13
6 England Dennis Priestley 90.45 7
England John Ferrell 83.34 9
  England John Ferrell 87.72 5
England Ronnie Baxter 93.81 8
  England Ronnie Baxter 89.34 14
England Andy Jenkins 81.75 12
England Ronnie Baxter 97.05 13
3 England Phil Taylor 99.48 10
3 England Phil Taylor 96.18 8
England Graeme Stoddart 80.10 1
3 England Phil Taylor   8
England Robbie Widdows   2
  England Robbie Widdows   8
England John Lowe   6

References

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