Taylor lands first title since drugs ban

DOM TAYLOR says "the standard is still there" after landing his first title since returning from a six-month drugs ban.

The Bristolian thrower marked another milestone in his comeback by lifting the Coventry Open with a string of outstanding displays.

Taylor, 28, won all eight of his matches before producing a superb 103.40 average to beat Zac Prince 5-1 in Sunday's final.

The Tower finished the event with an overall tournament average of exactly 90 and believes he has quickly rediscovered his best form.

He wrote on Facebook: “Absolutely buzzing, feeling that the standard is still there with great composure and zero jittering.

“On great form for the ADC Weekend next week!

“Also, a huge thank you to everyone who continues to support my journey – my sponsors, family, friends and everyone following along.”

Taylor was suspended after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis during the 2025/26 PDC World Championship.

The Darts Regulation Authority accepted both substances had been taken out of competition, but it was his second anti-doping offence.

Despite beating Oskar Lukasiak in the opening round at Alexandra Palace, Taylor was disqualified from the major event and stripped of the £25,000 prize money he had earned.

The removal of those earnings from the PDC Order of Merit saw him fall outside the world's top 64 and lose his Tour Card.

Taylor has since resumed his career on the ADC circuit and is ultimately targeting a return to the PDC through Q-School in January 2027.

He showed flashes of his quality on the ProTour last year, reaching the semi-finals of Players Championships Four and Eight.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning