Taylor followed up Saturday’s World Cricket Championship win by taking the £6,000 first prize in the first of three successive PDC ProTour events being held during the New Tropicana World Series of Darts Festival.

The world number one overcame Kevin McDine, Paul Lim and Joe Cullen in the early rounds before overturning a 3-0 deficit against Nigel Heydon in the last 16.

A 6-2 victory over Mark Walsh in the quarter-finals, repeating his triumph in Saturday’s final, was then followed by a 6-1 win over world number three James Wade in the semi-finals.

He kicked off the final against Ovens with a 180 in winning the first leg before taking an immediate break of throw to double his advantage.

Ovens punished two missed doubles to win the third leg, but then paid the price for missing single 18 to leave 40 in the next as Taylor stepped in on double 18.

Taylor landed a 177 in another 14-darter to move 4-1 up, and the pair traded the next two to leave the 15-time World Champion a leg away from victory.

Ovens posted a 180 in winning the eighth leg and hit another maximum in the next, but two misses at double 16 gave Taylor his chance to seal victory, which he took on double top.

Ovens’ run saw him reach a fourth final of 2010 and comes only weeks after his semi-final appearance in the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open, as he added a further £3,000 to his ever-improving status on the PDC Order of Merit.

He had overcome Jelle Klaasen in the semi-finals, with Terry Jenkins, Steve Hine, Canada’s Ken MacNeil, Japan’s Shintaro Hirai and Dieter Schutsch his other victims.

Klaasen’s semi-final run improves his hopes of qualifying for the StanJames.com World Matchplay, with just the Players Championships on Monday and Tuesday coming before the cut-off for the 16 Players Championship Order of Merit qualifiers.

The tournament also featured a nine-dart finish from Colin Lloyd, who earned a £2,000 bonus for the achievement – his third in-competition – during his second round win over Dave Switzer, although Terry Jenkins defeated him 6-5 in the next game.

Jenkins’ run to the quarter-finals was his best since February in a welcome return to form, before he eventually lost to Ovens.

Adrian Lewis missed double 14 for a 121 finish in the deciding 11th leg of his quarter-final with Wade, while Gary Anderson picked up £1,000 in reaching the last eight.

PDC US Open Players Championship
Preliminary Round
Joe Cullen 6-3 Par Riihonen
John Kuczynski 6-5 Tony Randell
Dennis Smith 6-2 Steve Maish
Bill Davis 6-5 Nick Fullwell
Colin Monk 6-2 Steve Grubb
Frank Hernandez 6-3 Joe Swick
Mark Hylton 6-0 Scott Henning
Peter Manley 6-1 Andrew Penney
Greg Lewis 6-4 Robert Heckman
Ray Carver 6-1 Richard Hammond Jnr
Shawn Brenneman 6-1 Steve Barlock
Roger Carter 6-3 Nick Rivera
Andrew Bennett 6-3 Dave Ahmet
Daz Mawer 6-1 Al Moskwyn
Martyn Turner 6-0 Eddie Lawrence
Gary Mawson 6-0 Mark Nielsen
Roland Scholten 6-5 Akihiro Nagakawa
Isen Veljic 6-0 Martin Hulme
Dan Zimmerman 6-3 Gregory Coburn
Damien McKenna 6-0 Doug Meade
Steve Evans 6-1 Jason Roker
Sean Smyth 6-4 George Timpone
Richie Burnett 6-4 William O’Connor
Dave Honey 6-2 Masahiko Sano
Ken MacNeil 6-0 Josh Daynes

First Round
Phil Taylor (1) 6-2 Kevin McDine
Paul Lim 6-5 Ron Colvard
John Part (32) 6-0 Bobby Peters
Joe Cullen 6-2 Ryan vander Wiet
Andy Smith (16) 6-4 Connley Litton
Nigel Heydon 6-1 Jayson Barlow
Paul Nicholson (17) 6-2 Andy Relf
Dennis Smith 6-3 John Kuczynski
Mark Walsh (8) 6-0 Stuart Brown
Arron Monk 6-2 David Kendall
Mark Webster (25) 6-0 Robert Race
Colin Monk 6-5 Bill Davis
Andy Hamilton (9) 6-1 Stacy Bromberg
Matt Clark 6-0 Tom Jackowski
Brendan Dolan (24) 6-3 Wayne Mardle
Mark Hylton 6-5 Frank Hernandez
Vincent van der Voort (5) 6-0 Ross Snook
Ian White 6-0 Stephen Panuncialman
Tony Eccles (28) 6-0 David Flowers
Peter Manley 6-0 Mark Blazevich
James Wade (12) 6-1 Chris White
Andy Jenkins 6-0 Brian Jackson
Kevin Painter (21) 6-1 Jim Newman
Ray Carver 6-5 Greg Lewis
Adrian Lewis (4) 6-0 Jim McKevitt
Sean Downs 6-5 Howard Meyers
Co Stompe (29) 6-0 Danny Wood
Nico Depaynos 6-4 S! hawn Brenneman
Ronnie Baxter (13) 6-3 Aodhagan O’Neill
Darren Johnson 6-0 Peter Schaumann
Barrie Bates (20) 6-2 Chris Thompson
Andrew Bennett 6-4 Roger Carter
Wes Newton (2) 6-2 Mick McGowan
Dan Olson 6-3 Dan Lauby II
Jelle Klaasen (31) 6-1 Don Campos
Ian McFarlane 6-5 Daz Mawer
Justin Pipe 6-4 Colin Osborne (15)
Scott Rand 6-3 Clint Clarkson
Alan Tabern (18) 6-2 Scott Kirchner
Gary Mawson 6-0 Martyn Turner
Gary Anderson (7) 6-3 Gerry Convery
Alex Roy 6-1 Drazen Severin
Peter Wright (26) 6-5 David Fatum
Roland Scholten 6-1 Dan Lauby
Jamie Caven (10) 6-1 Nick Holmes
Dave Ladley 6-1 Paul DiCecca
Steve Brown (23) 6-1 Jim Widmayer
Isen Veljic 6-1 Dan Zimmerman
Colin Lloyd (6) 6-0 Donny Joe
Dave Switzer 6-4 Andy Fordham
Terry Jenkins (27) 6-2 Adrian Gray
Scott Burnett 6-2 Damien McKenna
Darin Young 6-3 Steve Beaton (11)
Larry Butler 6-3 Kirk Shepherd
Robert Thornton (22) 6-0 Wayne Smith
St! eve Evans 6-3 Sean Smyth
Simon Whitlock (3) 6-0 Rick DavisBob S innaeve 6-2 Hiromasa Mochizuki
Steve Hine (30) 6-2 Jeff Noble
Richie Burnett 6-1 Alvin Martin
Denis Ovens (14) 6-4 Dieter Schutsch
Shintaro Hirai 6-3 Edwin Martin
Chris Loudon 6-4 Mark Dudbridge (19)
Ken MacNeil 6-3 Dave Honey

Second Round
Phil Taylor 6-3 Paul Lim
Joe Cullen 6-3 John Part
Nigel Heydon 6-4 Andy Smith
Dennis Smith 6-4 Paul Nicholson
Mark Walsh 6-2 Arron Monk
Mark Webster 6-1 Colin Monk
Andy Hamilton 6-3 Matt Clark
Mark Hylton 6-1 Brendan Dolan
Vincent van der Voort 6-5 Ian White
Tony Eccles 6-1 Peter Manley
James Wade 6-3 Andy Jenkins
Ray Carver 6-5 Kevin Painter
Adrian Lewis 6-0 Sean Downs
Co Stompe 6-1 Nico Depaynos
Ronnie Baxter 6-2 Darren Johnson
Barrie Bates 6-1 Andrew Bennett
Wes Newton 6-4 Dan Olson
Jelle Klaasen 6-2 Ian McFarlane
Justin Pipe 6-3 Scott Rand
Alan Tabern 6-2 Gary Mawson
Gary Anderson 6-1 Alex Roy
Roland Scholten 6-5 Peter Wright
Jamie Caven 6-3 Dave Ladley
Steve Brown 6-2 Isen Veljic
Colin Lloyd 6-3 Dave Switzer – Colin Lloyd hits nine-dart finish
Terry Jenkins 6-3 Scott Burnett
Darin Young 6-1 Larry Butler
Steve Evans 6-0 Robert Thornton
Simon Whitlock 6-1 Bob Sinnaev! e
Steve Hine 6-2 Richie Burnett
Denis Ovens 6-0 Shintaro Hirai
Ken MacNeil 6-3 Chris Loudon
Losers £200

Third Round
Phil Taylor 6-1 Joe Cullen
Nigel Heydon 6-4 Dennis Smith
Mark Walsh 6-4 Mark Webster
Mark Hylton 6-2 Andy Hamilton
Vincent van der Voort 6-1 Tony Eccles
James Wade 6-3 Ray Carver
Adrian Lewis 6-5 Co Stompe
Barrie Bates 6-4 Ronnie Baxter
Jelle Klaasen 6-5 Wes Newton
Alan Tabern 6-1 Justin Pipe
Gary Anderson 6-5 Roland Scholten
Steve Brown 6-4 Jamie Caven
Terry Jenkins 6-5 Colin Lloyd
Darin Young 6-2 Steve Evans
Steve Hine 6-1 Simon Whitlock
Denis Ovens 6-4 Ken MacNeil
Losers £300

Fourth Round
Phil Taylor 6-3 Nigel Heydon
Mark Walsh 6-2 Mark Hylton
James Wade 6-4 Vincent van der Voort
Adrian Lewis 6-5 Barrie Bates
Jelle Klaasen 6-5 Alan Tabern
Gary Anderson 6-4 Steve Brown
Terry Jenkins 6-4 Darin Young
Denis Ovens 6-4 Steve Hine
Losers £500

Quarter-Finals
Phil Taylor 6-2 Mark Walsh
James Wade 6-5 Adrian Lewis
Jelle Klaasen 6-3 Gary Anderson
Denis Ovens 6-4 Terry Jenkins
Losers £1,000

Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor 6-1 James Wade
Denis Ovens 6-3 Jelle Klaasen
Losers £1,500

Final
Phil Taylor 6-3 Denis Ovens
Winner £6,000
Runner-Up £3,000

Final – Leg by Leg
1-0 – Taylor hits a 180 and takes out 62 in two darts to open the game
2-0 – Taylor breaks in 15 darts on double top
2-1 – Ovens breaks back, punishing misses at double 16 and eight by Taylor to land double 19 for the leg
3-1 – Ovens sees a chance to level go begging when he misses single 18 to leave double top, with Taylor posting double 18 for another break
4-1 – Taylor opens with a 177 and wins the leg on double top in 14 darts
4-2 – Taylor misses double 16 for a 108 finish and Ovens lands double top for his second leg
5-2 – Taylor hits a 180 and double eight puts him a leg away from victory with another 14-dart finish
5-3 – Ovens opens up with a 180 and takes out 68 to stay in the game
6-3 – Ovens leaves 46 with a 180, but misses two darts at double 16 and Taylor seals the win on double top

Darts will return to Las Vegas for a week of five events to be staged in the newly-refurbished Tropicana Ballroom, with a total prize fund of $200,000 on offer.

The World Series of Darts Festival will kick off on Saturday June 26 with the World Cricket Championship, played in the cricket format of the sport, carrying a prize fund of $23,000*.

Sunday June 27 will see the $48,000* PDC US Open Players Championship take place, which will be followed by two further Players Championship events on Monday and Tuesday.

The $33,500* North American Darts Championship, exclusively open to players resident in the USA and Canada, will complete the week’s events on Wednesday June 30.

The New Tropicana World Series of Darts Festival
Saturday June 26 – World Cricket Championship
Sunday June 27 – PDC US Open Players Championship
Monday June 28 – Las Vegas Players Championship 1
Tuesday June 29 – Las Vegas Players Championship 2
Wednesday June 30 – North American Darts Championship

The five events in The New Tropicana World Series of Darts Festival will, along with the two Players Championships to be held in London, Ontario in August, form the North American Order of Merit for 2010, from which the top two players will receive invitations to play in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

In addition, the three Players Championship events will count on both the Players Championship Order of Merit and the main PDC Order of Merit These events will be the last Players Championships before the cut-off date for qualifiers for the 2010 World Matchplay on July 5.

Entry fees will apply for the four listed events above with NADC entry free for North American players who enter the first four events.

The entry fee for PDPA members resident in the Tropicana Hotel will be £320 and available via the PDC Online Entry System, and £480 for members not resident in the Tropicana for the duration of the World Series of Darts Festival.

The entry fee will be $450 for non-PDPA members who are staying at the Tropicana hotel for the duration of the World Series of Darts Festival, on production of a hotel booking reference.

Entry for players who are not resident at the Tropicana Hotel is $700. Non-PDPA members (#) will be able to enter via Bulls-Eye News. Players resident in Las Vegas and able to prove a Las Vegas address will be able to enter for $450.

A limited number of spectator admission tickets will be available, priced at $100 for Tropicana residents and $250 for non-residents, which will give admission to all five days.

Spectator ticket information will be announced shortly. Players who enter the event will receive one guest pass for the duration of the event.

Special hotel rates are available for players and spectators at the new-look Tropicana Hotel, by using the Group Code SWDC610 or by booking via this link

Players must email their Tropicana reservation number to Hayley Scott in order to qualify for the reduced rate of entry so their entry can be cross-checked against the booking code. Players must quote the Group Code when they book with the Tropicana.

PDPA members can now enter via the PDC Online Entry System

Please note
* – All prize fund totals listed in $ above are approximate conversion from £ Sterling. Prize money will be allocated in £ and Players Championship prize money will be based on the £31,600 breakdown, and North American Darts Championship prize money will be based on the £22,000 breakdown as detailed in the PDC Order of Merit Explanation available here.
# – Only non-PDPA Members from outside the UK can enter these events, in accordance with Rule 4.1 of the PDC Order of Merit Explanation.

Click here for full details of the New Tropicana World Series of Darts Festival

Priestley followed up last Sunday’s Canadian Players Championship triumph by taking the $12,000 title in Atlanta.

The 59-year-old was in top form throughout the day, restricting each of his six opponents to three legs or less in each match.

Following early wins over Stephen Panuncialman and Kevin McDine, he saw off both Andy Jenkins and Peter Manley 6-1, before overcoming Alan Tabern 6-2 in the semis, pulling clear from 3-2 to progress to the final.

There, he defeated Hamilton 6-3 to take the title, taking advantage of missed doubles to win the opening leg and then breaking throw to lead 2-0.

Hamilton took the third but was left waiting on a double in the next as Priestley took a 3-1 lead, which was extended further when he also won the fifth leg.

Stoke ace Hamilton took the next two to reduce the gap to one leg, but crucially was denied a dart at a double in the next after the pair traded maximums, with a 38 checkout putting Priestley a leg away from the title.

He then wrapped up the win after Hamilton twice missed his chances to keep the game alive to take the $12,000 winner’s cheque and add yet another title to his roll of honour.

Hamilton’s run took him to a third final of the year, and although he remains without a title in 2009 he takes home $6,000.

His victims on the day included Saturday’s Atlanta Players Championship winner Colin Lloyd, who took him to a deciding leg, as well as in-form Wes Newton and Robert Thornton.

Newton, the runner-up to Priestley in Canada last week, reached the semis in continuing his bid to return to the world’s top 32.

Former World Championship runner-up Kirk Shepherd’s run to the quarter-finals was his best performance of 2009, as he included Jelle Klaasen amongst his victims.

World number two James Wade was a second round loser to Colin Monk, while recent Australian Open Players Championship winner Paul Nicholson went out at the first round stage to Mark Webster.

PDC US Open
Preliminary Round
Ken MacNeil 6-0 Bill Penn
Scotty Burnett 6-0 Peter Schaumann
Chuck Pankow 6-2 Ron Peppers
Dan Lauby 6-2 Joseph Chaney
Jason Brandon 6-4 Joe Slivan
Bob Sinnaeve 6-0 Andries Sterk
Mark Webster 6-2 John Liggett
Ray Carver 6-3 Dennis Sayre Jnr
Peter Wright 6-1 Par Riihonen
Wayne Budgen 6-1 Keith Graham
Mark Venable 6-3 Jeff Todd
Brian Stamey 6-4 Joseph Swick
Ed DeBehnke 6-0 Leo J Ennis Jnr
Donnie Joe 6-0 Jared Gurman
Mark Nielsen 6-2 Adrian W Lewis
Daniel J Lauby II 6-4 Tom Jackowski
David Fatum 6-4 Co Stompe Jnr
Darin Young 6-3 Jim Newman
Bill Davis 6-4 Robert Watson-Lang
Dave Switzer 6-2 Chris Lawson
Steve Hine 6-4 Larry Butler
Dan Zimmerman 6-2 Tom Sheets

First Round
James Wade (1) 6-2 Ken MacNeil
Colin Monk (32) 6-5 Scotty Burnett
Jelle Klaasen (16) 6-2 Joe DaVanti
Kirk Shepherd (17) 6-4 Chuck Pankow
Colin Osborne (8) 6-3 Bryan De Hoog
Steve Beaton (25) 6-1 Dan Lauby
Mark Walsh (9) 6-4 Robert Sharples
Wes Newton (24) 6-4 Jason Brandon
Colin Lloyd (5) 6-5 Bob Sinnaeve
Mark Webster 6-4 Paul Nicholson (28)
Andy Hamilton (12) 6-3 Gordon Dixon
Barrie Bates (21) 6-4 Ray Carver
Ronnie Baxter (4) 6-5 Peter Wright
Steve Maish (29) 6-2 Wayne Budgeon
Robert Thornton (13) 6-1 Dave Thibault
Tony Eccles (20) 6-0 Mark Venable
John Part (2) 6-1 Brian Stamey
Dennis Smith (31) 6-0 Ed DeBehnke
Peter Manley (15) 6-0 Greg Evans
Donny Joe Bye (Co Stompe (18) withdrew)
Dennis Priestley (7) 6-2 Stephen Panuncialman
Kevin McDine (26) 6-3 Mark Nielsen
Wayne Mardle (10) 6-1 John Steinhoffer
Andy Jenkins (23) 6-3 Daniel J Lauby II
Alan Tabern (6) 6-4 David Fatum
Matt Clark (27) 6-4 Darin Young
Kevin Painter (11) 6-3 Isen Veljic
Jamie Caven (22) 6-0 Bill Davis
Terry Jenkins (3) 6-4 Dave Switzer
Steve Hine 6-1 Gary Mawson (30)
Denis Ovens (14) 6-0 David Whitt
Roland Scholten (19) 6-2 Dan Zimmerman
Losers $200

Second Round
Colin Monk 6-2 James Wade
Kirk Shepherd 6-3 Jelle Klaasen
Steve Beaton 6-2 Colin Osborne
Wes Newton 6-5 Mark Walsh
Colin Lloyd 6-3 Mark Webster
Andy Hamilton 6-3 Barrie Bates
Steve Maish 6-5 Ronnie Baxter
Robert Thornton 6-5 Tony Eccles
Dennis Smith 6-4 John Part
Peter Manley 6-1 Donny Joe
Dennis Priestley 6-3 Kevin McDine
Andy Jenkins 6-2 Wayne Mardle
Alan Tabern 6-4 Matt Clark
Jamie Caven 6-1 Kevin Painter
Terry Jenkins 6-2 Steve Hine
Denis Ovens 6-4 Roland Scholten
Losers $400

Third Round
Kirk Shepherd 6-2 Colin Monk
Wes Newton 6-2 Steve Beaton
Andy Hamilton 6-5 Colin Lloyd
Robert Thornton 6-2 Steve Maish
Peter Manley 6-1 Dennis Smith
Dennis Priestley 6-1 Andy Jenkins
Alan Tabern 6-5 Jamie Caven
Terry Jenkins 6-3 Denis Ovens
Losers $800

Quarter-Finals
Wes Newton 6-2 Kirk Shepherd
Andy Hamilton 6-1 Robert Thornton
Dennis Priestley 6-1 Peter Manley
Alan Tabern 6-0 Terry Jenkins
Losers $1,600

Semi-Finals
Andy Hamilton 6-2 Wes Newton
Dennis Priestley 6-2 Alan Tabern
Losers $3,200

Final
Dennis Priestley 6-3 Andy Hamilton
Winner $12,000
Runner-Up $6,000

PHIL TAYLOR’S defence of the PartyPoker.net PDC US Open began successfully on Friday night as he romped into the last 16 without dropping a set at the Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut.

Taylor will face Colin Osborne in the Fifth Round on Saturday, having seen off Robert St Onge, Scott Cummings, Kevin Dowling and Alan Warriner-Little in the event’s early rounds.

World number one Raymond van Barneveld was dumped from the tournament in the last 32 stage, losing 3-2 to American Gary Mawson.

Mawson – who meets Ronnie Baxter on Saturday – is one of five US-based players to reach the tournament’s last 16, with Ray Carver earning a date with Wayne Mardle after his success on Friday.

David Fatum earned his debut on the televised stage by taking three 3-2 win in progressing to the last 16, where he will take on Philadelphia’s Bill Davis, and Roger Carter meets Chris Mason in another fifth round game on Saturday.

Colin Lloyd joined Taylor in failing to lose a set in his first four matches as he progressed to the fifth round, where he will meet Roland Scholten.

Mark Dudbridge will face karate expert Dave Honey, while two-time World Champion edged out Andy Jenkins to set up a clash with young gun Adrian Gray in the last 16.

World Champion John Part was a second round victim of Carter’s, while Terry Jenkins and Mervyn King also lost at that stage to Paul Lim and Garrett French respectively.

Michael van Gerwen condemned Kevin McDine to a first round loss with a straight sets victory, while Vincent van der Voort was dumped in his opener by America’s John Kuczynski, who eventually lost to Ben Burton in Round Three.

DAY TWO REVIEW

AMERICA’S Ray Carver will attempt to stop Phil Taylor’s bid for a second successive PartyPoker.net PDC US Open on Sunday.

Carver sensationally knocked world number ten Wayne Mardle from the PDC US Open on Saturday with a 3-1 triumph at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.

The Chicago-based left-hander will now take on Taylor in the quarter-finals on Sunday, following the defending champion’s 3-1 win over Colin Osborne in the last 16.

Taylor averaged 107 in a scintillating display to see off the Derby challenger, who became the first player to take a set from the 13-time World Champion in the event but could not match Taylor’s firepower.

Canadian David Fatum’s best ever run in a major tournament continued with a 3-0 win over American Bill Davis in Saturday’s opening game, with the Arizona-based player dropping just one leg in the win.

He will face Chris Mason in the quarter-finals, after the Englishman came from a set down to Roger Carter’s hopes with a 3-1 win.

Ronnie Baxter also dented home hopes in the tournament, denying Gary Mawson – who had knocked out world number one Raymond van Barneveld on Friday – a dream 45th birthday with a 3-1 victory.

Colin Lloyd set up a tasty last eight contest with Baxter following a 3-0 whitewash of Roland Scholten which included a ten-darter.

The final quarter-final sees two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley take on Mark Dudbridge, after both enjoyed straight sets victories against Adrian Gray and Dave Honey.

DAY THREE REVIEW

PHIL TAYLOR claimed the PartyPoker.net PDC US Open title for a second successive year with a 3-0 defeat of Colin Lloyd at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut on Sunday evening.

Taylor retained the title with an imperious display, dropping just one set during eight matches on his way to claiming the £12,500 winner’s cheque.

After averaging 107 to see off Colin Osborne in the last 16 on Saturday, Taylor stormed past Ray Carver in the quarter-finals and then averaged 111 in defeating Dennis Priestley in the semis.

He then dropped just one leg to overcome Lloyd in the final and pick up the PDC US Open title for a second time.

“I’m delighted,” said Taylor. “My game plan was to keep my opponent under pressure in every leg. It’s a short format and I had to bash them up as fast as I could, and it worked.

“I’m fighting and I really want to win titles. I’m appreciating it more as I get older and loving everything.”

Taylor broke Lloyd’s throw immediately in the final, landing a maximum in the first leg and then punishing a missed double top from the Essex man in the next to take the set on an improvised double seven.

Double top put Taylor ahead in the second, and he doubled his lead with a clinical two-dart 70 finish after Lloyd missed two darts at double top.

Taylor led in the third before Lloyd took out a fine 130 checkout on the bullseye to get off the mark and stay in the game.

He was given one chance to take the set in the decider when Taylor missed two darts for victory, but two misses of his own on double ten gave the defending champion another opportunity, which he took to ensure victory.

Lloyd included Roland Scholten and Ronnie Baxter among his victims en route to the final, and edged out Canada’s David Fatum in a deciding leg in a tight semi-final.

“I didn’t quite perform against Phil in the final but he was very, very good in the final,” said Lloyd. “I missed a couple of shots but he was there to take them and deserved the win.

“It’s nice to get to a major final again and be playing well. I’ve had people write me off in the last year or so and it’s good to have a run like this.”

Taylor was overtaken at the head of the PDC Order of Merit by Dutchman van Barneveld in January, following his disappointing end to 2007.

However, a run of five successive PDC Pro Tour wins during the past two months has seen Taylor close the gap on van Barneveld at the head of the rankings.

And victory in the £125,000 PDC US Open at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut this weekend would see Taylor – who also finished top of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts table following 14 weekly rounds – move even closer to his aim of being back on top of the world this summer.

“Maybe it’s done me some good not being top, but it’s a massive goal of mine to win back the world number one spot,” said Taylor.

“I was very disappointed with how things went for me last year, but I’ve made some changes this year with my darts and my lifestyle and it’s paying off.

“I’ve been in form in the Premier League and I want to continue that now into the summer.

“The US Open is the first major tournament of the year and I can make a statement there.”

Taylor won last year’s inaugural PDC US Open in impressive fashion, dropping just two sets in seeing off Mervyn King John Part and van Barneveld from the last eight onwards.

“I won the event last year and I love the Mohegan Sun,” added Taylor. “It’s a special venue; when you first see this massive casino in the middle of a forest it’s fantastic, and you think of all the names of people who’ve performed there, like Rod Stewart.

“It’s become a great venue for me too, winning the World Series of Darts in 2006 and then winning the US Open last year, especially beating Raymond in the final, which was something special.”

Van Barneveld also took glory in America last year, winning the Las Vegas Desert Classic in July, and is hoping to go one better than his Mohegan Sun debut this weekend.

“I like America – it gives me a relaxed feeling,” said van Barneveld. “I am relaxed and enjoy myself, there are no telephones or computers and I can enjoy every day – and maybe that’s the key because in two years I’ve made three finals.

“In last year’s US Open I played well but in the final Phil was great and beat me 4-1. I was happy to make the final but if you’re in the final you want to win it, so hopefully this year I will!”

The tournament will feature 257 players from as far afield as Japan vying for the £12,500 first prize, although world number three James Wade was forced to withdraw from the event on Thursday after being unable to travel to the USA through illness.

Two of the top young talents in darts will clash in the tournament’s first round, when Dutch wonderkid Michael van Gerwen takes on Kevin McDine, a semi-finalist in last year’s PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts.

Van Gerwen’s compatriot Vincent van der Voort, the 2007 UK Open runner-up, takes on leading American John Kuczynski in another high profile round one meeting.

Friday’s play will see the field whittled down to the last 16 players, with the eight games in that round being played on stage in the Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre on Saturday.

Sunday will see the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the tournament take place.

The first North American Darts Championship will run alongside the PDC US Open on Friday and Saturday, offering players from the USA and Canada the chance to compete for a $50,000 prize fund.

Current Ladbrokes.com PDC World Champion John Part enters that event as the favourite as well as being the number four seed in the PDC US Open, and is hoping for double glory in Connecticut.

“I’m World Champion and have a lot of experience under my belt, plus 14 weeks of playing in the Premier League does a lot to build up your capabilities to play,” said a confident Part.

“I’m thriving on playing every week and to take that into events like the PDC US Open or North American Darts Championship, I do have a tremendous advantage.

“I have to remember, though, it’s a short enough format and I know a lot of the American and Canadian guys and they’re not afraid of me because I’ve played against them for many years.”

Live coverage of the PartyPoker.net PDC US Open will be screened on NutsTV on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May, from 7pm-12pm (BST), 2pm-7pm (local time).

NutsTV is available on Sky Guide 207 and Freeview 42.

The leading players will have to win four matches on Friday to book their place in the last 16, with Wayne Mardle facing a tough opener against top Boston player Tom Curtin, who qualified for the 2006 World Series of Darts.

The second $250,000 PDC US Open will take place from Friday 16 May to Sunday 18 May at the Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut.

The tournament is open to PDPA members and citizens of the USA and Canada, with play down to the last 16 on Friday, the last 16 playing off on Saturday and the quarter-finals onwards taking place on Sunday.

In addition, the PDC will also stage the $50,000 North American Darts Championship over the same weekend.

This new tournament will be open only to players from the United States and Canada, with play on Friday night down to the last four and with the semi-finals and final on stage.

The North American Darts Championship will also be included as part of the PDC North American Order of Merit, which will see top player invited to compete in the 2008 Grand Slam of Darts and the leading two Americans and Canadians play in the 2009 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

“We have been committed to developing professional darts in North America and this continues that trend,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

“There are now more opportunities than ever for North American players to compete at a professional level and we believe that is resulting in standards continuing to rise.

“John Part is a great example for the ambitious players of North America to follow; a great champion with a superb attitude, and he fully deserved his Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship success.

“I’m sure it won’t be too much longer before we see another American or Canadian joining him on the World Champion’s roll of honour.”

Gary Mawson reached the quarter-finals at last year’s Las Vegas Desert Classic, and capped his return to the professional scene with appearances in the World Championship and also at the PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts.

Ray Carver finished in second place to Mawson in the American standings, while Part was followed by Gerry Convery and Dan Olson in the Canadian side of the North American Order of Merit.

2008 North American Darts Championship
Friday 16 May – 7pm Start: Tournament played down to last four players
Saturday 17 May – 7.30pm Start: Semi-Finals & Final on stage
All games up to Semi-Finals best of seven legs, Semi-Finals best of 13 legs, Final best of 15 legs

North American Darts Championship Prize Fund
Winner:                $15,000
Runner-Up:        $5,000
3-4th:                    $3,000
5-8th:                    $2,000
9-16th:                  $1,000
17-32nd:              $500
Total                      $50,000

2008 North American Darts Championship
Friday 16 May – 7pm Start: Tournament played down to last four players
Saturday 17 May – 7.30pm Start: Semi-Finals & Final on stage
All games up to Semi-Finals best of seven legs, Semi-Finals best of 13 legs, Final best of 15 legs

PDC US Open Prize Fund
                                £              $*
Winner:                £12,500 $25,000
Runner-Up:        £7,500   $15,000
3-4th:                    £5,000   $10,000
5-8th:                    £4,000   $8,000
9-16th:                  £3,000   $6,000
17-32nd:              £1,500   $3,000
33-64th:               £1,000   $2,000
Total:                     £126,000
* The prize fund for this event is based on Pounds Sterling. Payout will be made in Dollars using the relevant exchange rate at the start of the tournament and the amounts listed above may fluctuate.

The tournament is open to both PDPA members and non-members resident in North America, giving the top US and Canadian-based stars the chance to take on Phil Taylor and World Champion Raymond van Barneveld.

North American players have two entry options; entering straight into the main draw for the tournament, or attempting to battle through the Friday Night Madness Qualifiers on 18 May.

PDPA members will be placed straight into the main draw, with the knockout event beginning on Saturday 19 May and culminating in the final on Sunday.

“The Las Vegas Desert Classic is established as a major tournament in the USA, but it is great to be able to offer such a big event on the East Coast,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

“The World Series of Darts in 2006 was a massive success and saw 2,000 Americans attempting to qualify, and we hope that a significant number of those will have the desire to rise to the challenge once more this May.

“Of course, we expect players like John Kuczynski, Ray Carver, Darin Young and Bill Davis to be there on Sunday competing for the main prize. They have all benefitted from competing on the PDC circuit and are the flag-bearers for all ambitious American darters.”

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
DATES
18-20 May 2007

VENUE
Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut

FORMAT
All Times EST
Best of five sets, best of three sets per leg throughout
Friday 18 May – Ballroom
5pm-6.30pm – Registration for Friday Night Madness – Ballroom
7pm-10pm – Friday Night Madness, maximum 320 players on 32 boards.
10.15pm – Any qualification ties to be played off. The number of qualifiers required will be the figure required to lift the first round participation to 160 players.

Saturday 19 May – Salons
1pm-2.15pm – Registration for US Open
2.30pm – Round One
3.15pm (approx) – Round Two
4.45pm (approx) – Round Three
5.30pm (approx) – Round Four
6.15pm (approx) – Round Five (last 16)
Selected games will be played in the Cabaret Theatre throughout the afternoon, and screened on television.

Sunday 20th May 2007 – Cabaret Theatre
1.30pm – Doors Open
2.30pm-5.00pm – Quarter-Finals
5.00pm-6.15pm – Semi-Finals
6.45pm (approx) – Final

ENTRY
PDPA Members can enter the US Open main draw for £65/$125
Non-PDPA Members Resident in North America can enter the US Open main draw for $145
Players Resident in North America can enter the Friday Night Madness Qualifier for $40. Please note that a minimum of 16 qualifiers will go through from Friday Night Madness.

ENTRY METHODS
PDPA Members should enter via the PDC Online Entry system or by calling the main PDC office on 08712 501 180.
Non-PDPA members in North America can enter via Bulls-Eye News on 1-800-688-3278 or 1-614-864-3039. Entry can be faxed to 1-614-866-9993. Online entry via www.bullseyenews.com.

ENTRY DEADLINES
Friday Night Madness: 8pm (EST) Monday 14 May
US Open (main draw) 4pm BST Thursday 10 May
8pm (EST) Thursday 10 May

PRIZE FUND BREAKDOWN

Winner £12,500
Runner-Up £7,500
3-4th £5,000
5-8th £4,000
9-16th £3,000
17-32nd £1,500
33-64th £1,000
Total £126,000

For information on other PDC Ranked tournaments in North America, click here to download an advert.