TAYLOR RULES OUT RETURN

By Aaron Nijjar 

PHIL TAYLOR has shut down speculation of a return to the oche.  

87-time major winner Taylor retired after reaching the final of the 2018 World Championship.  

‘The Power’ is now a pundit for the Modus Super Series and World Seniors circuit. 

Talk of a return came after several current stars, including Brendan Dolan questioned whether Luke Littler could go on to have a better career than Taylor. 

But 16-time World champion Taylor insists his playing days are behind him.  

He told BILD: “No, no, my career is over. I’ll be involved in the Seniors tour and working there, but I won’t be throwing darts anymore.  

“I am very proud of what I have achieved in my career.” 

The greatest marksman of all time was full of praise for 18-year-old Littler who has already won FIVE majors in the early beginnings of his career. 

Teen sensation Littler is the current World champion and Premier League winner.  

And Taylor believes ‘The Nuke’ can break his record of 16 World titles.  

He added: “Luke Littler is absolutely brilliant. I love the way he operates up there. He’s not interested in money. He’s interested in titles. He’s interested in having fun. 

“It’s much harder now. I probably won 10 World Championships when the schedule wasn’t half as full as it is now.  

“But sure the record can be broken. Luke has age on his side.” 

Former World No.1 Taylor also reflected on how the game has changed since his peak. 

“There’s more fans now at games, they pay their money they can do what they want.

“They can dress up, they can sing, as long as they enjoy themselves as that’s what they pay their money to do, it’s okay. But it has definitely changed.” 

Image by Taylor Lanning.