Darts World Matchplay 2016: Final Results, Standings, Prize Money and Reaction
Michael van Gerwen lifted the 2016 Darts World Matchplay trophy after storming to an 18-10 victory over 15-time winner Phil Taylor at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England, on Sunday.
Van Gerwen opened up an early four-leg advantage with some devastating doubles action, with Taylor unable to match the world No. 1 as the Dutchman romped to victory, defending his title.
Here's a look at the full prize-money info:
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
| Winner | £100,000 |
| Final | £50,000 |
| Semi Final | £27,000 |
| Quarter Final | £17,500 |
| Last 16 | £10,000 |
| Last 32 | £6,000 |
Recap
Taylor began the final in the perfect manner, hitting a maximum in the opening leg of the match and taking the first on his own throw. MvG replied in kind with a 70 checkout before breaking the Englishman after Taylor missed two arrows on the doubles.
Missed doubles would prove to be Taylor's main cause for concern throughout the World Matchplay showdown.
Van Gerwen then produced six perfect darts before missing the treble 20 with a nine-dart leg on the cards. Fortunately for MvG, Taylor didn't punish him for his minor slip-up, and he completed the leg finish. With such high-quality darts on show, Taylor got in on the act by going around the houses before finishing on bull's-eye.
The pair shared the next four legs before Van Gerwen won on his own throw prior following up with his second break of the match. Mighty Mike found double four with his last dart in hand to move into a 7-4 lead.
Per Sky Sports, Van Gerwen was hitting his stride, and after a 110 checkout—his eighth treble-figure checkout of the competition—he broke Taylor for the third time after The Power failed to secure a 137 exit.
The 2016 Premier League winner looked untouchable at the oche as he moved 11-4 ahead after a missed shot on the bull by his opponent, once again making the most of his doubles opportunities to lift his finishing accuracy to 61 per cent.
Taylor sought a way back into the clash after breaking MvG for the first time in the match. However, he failed to capitalise on his achievement, with Van Gerwen breaking back immediately at the first attempt after another missed tops.
Take a look at the passion from the world's top-ranked player, via PDC Darts:
The temperature between the two finalists raised a couple of centigrade after some dirty looks between the pair, with Taylor taking it upon himself to conduct the crowd with Van Gerwen fully focused on the match, via PDC Darts:
However, the Dutchman wasn't to be antagonised, as he produced another 11-dart leg to move 13-7 ahead, leaving himself needing just five more legs to win the Championship.
The Winter Gardens crowd voiced their backing for Taylor, via Sky Sports Darts:
The Stoke thrower's opponent replicated a 12-dart leg in the next before Van Gerwen produced a magnificent 112 checkout and break to move 15-8 ahead. But 55-year-old Taylor refused to lie down, instead hitting a 130 exit and then an 81 checkout via double top to close the gap to just five at 15-10.
However, Van Gerwen could not be contained, as he bounced back to move 17-10 ahead, needing just one more leg to defend his deserved crown and becoming just the third player to defend the trophy. He didn't have to wait too long to get his hands on the title, with a brilliant double-16 finish to win 18-10 as Taylor lost in the World Matchplay final for the first time in his career.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
