PDC Ladbrokes World Championship
Tournament History
The PDC version of the world championship began its life in 1994 following the split from the BDO. It was staged at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet until 2008 when it moved to the Alexandra Palace. The main sponsor in the nineties was Skol Lager (Proton, Vernons & Red Band also had a go) and since 2003 Ladbrokes has been the prime sponsor.
When the split occurred and the rival WDC world championship set up, the only outlet was satellite tv and the prize money on offer was less than the BDO version. It wasn't until 2002 that PDC prize money exceeded the BDO pot. The two world championships still run in rivalry today and generate heated debate as to which is the 'true' championship.
There have only been four different champions in the competitions history. Phil Taylor has 11 titles to his name, winning all but one between 1995 and 2006. Between 1994 and 2007 he appeared in every final.
Dennis Priestley has won it once (beaten in four other finals by Phil Taylor), he won the first tournament after the split, beating Taylor in the final.
Raymond van Barneveld beat Taylor in a classic final in 2007 for his only title, adding to his four Lakeside titles.
The latest champion, John Part, won his third world title in 2008 and between 1995 and 2006 was the only player to break the Taylor stranglehold (2003). His third title also gave him the unique claim of being the only champion to win in three different venues.
When Dennis Priestley won the first title in 1994 he won £16,000 for his efforts. In 2008 John Part took home £100,000 with the runner up, 100-1 outsider Kirk Shepherd, bagging £50,000.
