"He is a relentless winning beast"
Thursday 3 August 2017 14:20, UK
'Peter Wright came up short because he played the most successful player the world of darts has ever seen" - Wayne Mardle applauds Phil Taylor's last World Matchplay triumph.
Taylor emotionally bowed out at the World Matchplay by claiming an incredible 16th Winter Gardens triumph with an 18-8 defeat of Peter Wright in Sunday's final in Blackpool.
The 56-year-old darts legend from Stoke-on-Trent has dominated the history of the tournament, and said his farewell to the event ahead of his impending retirement in style with a brilliant display to claim the title.
Having knocked out reigning champion Michael van Gerwen and former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis in reaching the final, Taylor found another spectacular performance to reclaim the prestigious trophy.
"Simply stunning from start to finish," said Sky Sports analyst Mardle. "And the tournament was just breathtaking. He's had it all his own way because he's been so good.
That should be it. Lay the darts down, put them in a case, and never get them out again
"He's been so dominant and it's been like the Phil Taylor of old. Peter Wright was part of a quality game of darts but he came up short because he played the most successful player the world has ever seen on one of his best days.
"He is a relentless winning beast. When's he's in that frame of mind he gets you because you chase, but you can't chase someone better than you, faster than you, better than you on the day - it's impossible because you can't be that good all the time, but he can."
Taylor won his 94th major title after securing his 16th title at the Winter Gardens where he finished with a record of 99 wins from 107 games, including two nine-dart finishes.
"Michael van Gerwen was supposed to finish off Phil Taylor's career - that's what was supposed to happen. He was supposed to win here," Mardle said.
"Phil Taylor has not been seen off by anyone and no matter what happens in the World Championship, he will still go out as retiring as opposed to being beaten.
"He was ruthless, he was relentless, he had another 10 combination finishes in that match to win 18 legs. That's 30 combination finishes in the last three rounds - that's why he's won - and that's that no one has come anywhere near him. He sticks with the scoring and then he finishes them off with the double hitting - unplayable.
"I called him a darting freak during commentary, he's also a man who refused to be put off by the outside elements getting into his mind - he won't allow it.
"That should be it. Lay the darts down, put them in a case, and never get them out again."
The biggest names in darts will return to Dublin's Citywest Hotel from October 1-7 for the 2017 World Grand Prix and you will be able to watch all the action with us on Sky Sports, or watch for £6.99 without a contract on NOW TV.
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