The 1997 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom

Empress Ballroom

The Empress Ballroom is a 3,000 capacity entertainment venue, in Blackpool Lancashire, England. It is located within the Winter Gardens, a large entertainment complex in the town centre....

 at the Winter Gardens

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

The Winter Gardens is a large entertainment complex in the town centre of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It has twelve different venues, including a theatre, ballroom and conference facilities. Opened in 1878, it is a Grade II* listed building, incorporating various elements built between 1875 and...

, Blackpool

Blackpool

Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...

. The tournament was won by Phil Taylor.

1st Round

(best of 15 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Dean Allsopp (Eng) v Bob Anderson (Eng) 5 - 8
• Eric Bristow (Eng) v Dennis Smith (Eng) 5 - 8
• Shayne Burgess (Eng) v John Lowe (Eng) 15 - 13
• Richie Burnett (Wal) v Chris Mason (Eng) 8 - 5
• Keith Deller (Eng) v Kevin Spiolek (Eng) 4 - 8
• Sean Downes (USA) v Steve Brown (USA) 0 - 8
• Graeme Stoddart (Eng) v Peter Evison (Eng) 1 - 8
• Darryl Fitton (Eng) v Peter Manley (Eng) 6 - 8
• Rod Harrington (Eng) v Cliff Lazarenko (Eng) 8 - 2
• Jamie Harvey (Sco) v Paul Lim (USA) 6 - 8
• Dennis Priestley (Eng) v Andy Jenkins (Eng) 8 - 6
• Harry Robinson (Eng) v Mick Manning (Eng) 4 - 8
• Phil Taylor (Eng) v Gary Mawson (Can) 8 - 0
• Drew O'Neill (Sco) v John Part (Can) 8 - 4
• Steve Raw (Eng) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 3 - 8
• Gerald Verrier (USA) v Antony Ridler (Wal) 5 - 8

2nd Round

(best of 15 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Bob Anderson (Eng) v Steve Brown (USA) 8 - 4
• Shayne Burgess (Eng) v Dennis Priestley (Eng) 5 - 8
• Richie Burnett (Wal) v Paul Lim (USA) 9 - 7
• Peter Evison (Eng) v A Ridler (Wal) 8 - 5
• Rod Harrington (Eng) v Dennis Smith (Eng) 8 - 2
• Peter Manley (Eng) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 1 - 8
• Mick Manning (Eng) v Phil Taylor (Eng) 2 - 8
• Drew O'Neill (Sco) v Kevin Spiolek (Eng) 4 - 8

Quarter finals

(best of 21 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Bob Anderson (Eng) v Phil Taylor (Eng) 2 - 11
• Richie Burnett (Wal) v Peter Evison (Eng) 11 - 9
• Rod Harrington (Eng) v Kevin Spiolek (Eng) 11 - 5
• Dennis Priestley (Eng) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 7 - 11

Semi finals

(best of 25 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Richie Burnett (Wal) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 9 - 13
• Rod Harrington (Eng) v Phil Taylor (Eng) 9 - 13

Final

(best of 31 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Phil Taylor (Eng) v Alan Warriner (Eng) 16 - 11