2009 Players Championship Finals
Encyclopedia
The 2009 Players Championship Finals (also known as the 2009 coral.co.uk Players Championship for sponsorship reasons) was the inaugural edition of the PDC
tournament, the Players Championship Finals
, which saw the top 32 players from the 2008 PDC Players Championship Order of Merit
taking part. The tournament took place between January 30 and February 1, 2009 and was held at the Circus Tavern
in Purfleet
– the former venue of the PDC World Darts Championship
.
Second round - best of eleven legs
Quarter-finals - best of seventeen legs
Semi-finals - best of twenty-five legs
Final - best of thirty-one legs
Professional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
tournament, the Players Championship Finals
Players Championship Finals
The Players Championship Finals is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation...
, which saw the top 32 players from the 2008 PDC Players Championship Order of Merit
PDC order of merit
The PDC Order of Merit is a world ranking system used by one of the darts organisations, the Professional Darts Corporation . Following the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship it superseded a world ranking system based on points being awarded for performances in ranking tournaments.-Previous world...
taking part. The tournament took place between January 30 and February 1, 2009 and was held at the Circus Tavern
Circus Tavern
The Circus Tavern is an entertainment venue in Purfleet, Essex, England which hosts functions, cabaret acts and is also a nightclub venue. However, it is most famous as having been a long-time venue of the PDC World Darts Championship....
in Purfleet
Purfleet
Purfleet is a place in the Thurrock unitary authority in Essex, England. It is situated south of the A13 road on the River Thames and within the easterly bounds of the M25 motorway but just outside the Greater London boundary. It was within the traditional Church of England parish of West Thurrock...
– the former venue of the PDC World Darts Championship
PDC World Darts Championship
The PDC World Darts Championship is a world championship competition for the sport of darts, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . It was introduced following a dispute in 1994 with the British Darts Organisation, which has run its own world championship since 1978...
.
Format
First round - best of eleven legsSecond round - best of eleven legs
Quarter-finals - best of seventeen legs
Semi-finals - best of twenty-five legs
Final - best of thirty-one legs
Qualification
The top 32 players from the PDC Players Championship Order of Merit after the last Players Championship of 2008 qualified for the event.-
-
Phil Taylor - James WadeJames WadeJames Wade is an English professional darts player, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation . He became the youngest player ever to win a major PDC title at the World Matchplay in July 2007...
- Alan TabernAlan TabernAlan Tabern is an English darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, where he is also known as "The Saint" and "Tabby"...
- Mervyn King
- Ronnie BaxterRonnie BaxterRonnie Baxter is an English darts player. He uses the nickname The Rocket for his matches. Baxter is known for his fast, robotic throwing action...
- Dennis PriestleyDennis PriestleyDennis Priestley is an English professional darts player. He has won two world championships, and was the first player to win both the BDO and WDC world championships, in 1991 and 1994 respectively...
- Colin OsborneColin OsborneColin Osborne is an English darts player currently playing in Professional Darts Corporation events.-Darts career:Osborne has won two PDC Pro Tour events and he also managed to hit two perfect nine dart finishes in 2005...
- Colin LloydColin LloydColin Lloyd , nicknamed Jaws, is an English professional darts player on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. He is a former world number one ranked player and he has won two major television titles in the PDC - the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay...
- Andy HamiltonAndy Hamilton (darts player)Andy Hamilton is a full time professional English darts player widely known for his "aggressive" style of play. He is nicknamed The Hammer and is currently ranked 12th on the PDC Order of Merit....
-
Raymond van BarneveldRaymond van BarneveldRaymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player... - Denis OvensDenis OvensDenis Ovens is an English darts player currently ranked number 29 in the PDC Order of Merit. He is nicknamed The Heat and is now based in Stevenage. Ovens is widely regarded as one of the most consistent players in the circuit, though he has as yet failed to convert his form from the circuit to...
- Terry JenkinsTerry JenkinsTerry Jenkins is an English professional darts player who is nicknamed The Bull, having previously used the nickname "Tucker" for his matches...
- Mark Walsh
-
Robert ThorntonRobert Thornton (darts player)Robert Thornton is a Scottish darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events after his switch from the BDO in May 2008. He won the prestigious Winmau World Masters in November 2007.-BDO career:... - Kevin PainterKevin PainterKevin Painter is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments, where he is known as "The Artist"...
- Vincent van der VoortVincent van der VoortVincent van der Voort is a professional darts player.-Playing style:Vincent is well known for his spasmodic style and machine-gun speed of play which has gained him a reputation in both the BDO and the PDC for being one of the more erratic throwers in the darting world...
-
- Chris MasonChris Mason (darts player)Christopher John Mason is an English darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He uses the nickname Mace the Ace for his matches.- BDO and first PDC spell :...
- Alex RoyAlex Roy (darts player)Alex Roy is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He uses the nickname Ace of Herts for this matches and is with Dave Holland Management....
- Mark DudbridgeMark DudbridgeMark Daniel Dudbridge is an English professional darts player.-Darts career:He started playing in his very early teens, citing Dennis Priestley as one of his heroes...
- Wayne MardleWayne MardleWayne Mardle is a darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, and former player in the BDO. He now lives in Romford...
- Wayne JonesWayne Jones (darts player)Wayne Alan Jones is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments. He uses the nickname The Wanderer for his matches....
John PartJohn PartJohn Part is a Canadian professional darts player, who is nicknamed Darth Maple.Part is one of only five players in darts history to be a three time World Champion...
- Andy JenkinsAndy JenkinsAndy Jenkins is an English darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. Jenkins had trials for Southampton Football Club while at school.-BDO career:...
- Peter ManleyPeter ManleyPeter David Manley is an English professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He is nicknamed One Dart as he is known for hitting doubles with his first dart...
- Jamie CavenJamie CavenJamie Robert Caven is an English darts player. He uses the nickname Jabba for his matches and is sponsored by Unicorn....
- Andy SmithAndy Smith (darts player)Andrew Smith is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He uses the nickname Pieman for his matches...
- Steve MaishSteve MaishSteve Maish is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He uses the nickname Mr Magic for his matches....
- Tony EcclesTony EcclesTony Eccles is a Winmau sponsored darts player currently residing in Hartlepool. He uses the nickname The Viper.-BDO career:...
Felix McBreartyFelix McBreartyFelix McBrearty is a Northern Irish darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation.McBrearty began playing in PDC ranked event in 2004, playing mainly in Irish tournaments...
- Adrian LewisAdrian LewisAdrian Lewis is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation who is the reigning PDC World Darts Champion...
- Steve BeatonSteve BeatonSteve Beaton is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation...
- Michael van GerwenMichael van GerwenMichael van Gerwen is a Dutch professional darts player, nicknamed Mighty Mike. He is the youngest player in history to win a major televised tournament in either the BDO or the PDC, winning the 2006 Winmau World Masters at the age of 17...
Draw
Scores after player's names are three-dart averages (total points scored divided by darts thrown and multiplied by 3)
Statistics
Player Played Legs Won Legs Lost 100+ 140+ 180s High Checkout 3-dart Average Terry JenkinsTerry JenkinsTerry Jenkins is an English professional darts player who is nicknamed The Bull, having previously used the nickname "Tucker" for his matches...1 2 6 16 7 1 40 101.84 Phil Taylor5 50 17 84 65 11 161 100.65 Raymond van BarneveldRaymond van BarneveldRaymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...3 20 13 41 43 4 96 99.79 Alan TabernAlan TabernAlan Tabern is an English darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, where he is also known as "The Saint" and "Tabby"...2 8 9 26 15 4 121 97.15 Wayne MardleWayne MardleWayne Mardle is a darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, and former player in the BDO. He now lives in Romford...2 10 10 31 12 6 119 96.65 Wayne JonesWayne Jones (darts player)Wayne Alan Jones is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments. He uses the nickname The Wanderer for his matches....2 10 8 28 12 5 127 96.09 Mervyn King3 17 15 37 32 7 118 95.31 James WadeJames WadeJames Wade is an English professional darts player, currently playing in the Professional Darts Corporation . He became the youngest player ever to win a major PDC title at the World Matchplay in July 2007...4 31 28 76 49 16 167 95.24 Andy SmithAndy Smith (darts player)Andrew Smith is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He uses the nickname Pieman for his matches...2 6 7 16 15 3 161 94.54 Mark Walsh1 4 6 17 3 2 66 94.06 Tony EcclesTony EcclesTony Eccles is a Winmau sponsored darts player currently residing in Hartlepool. He uses the nickname The Viper.-BDO career:...1 4 6 11 9 2 56 93.16 Ronnie BaxterRonnie BaxterRonnie Baxter is an English darts player. He uses the nickname The Rocket for his matches. Baxter is known for his fast, robotic throwing action...4 23 26 54 31 6 167 92.82 Colin LloydColin LloydColin Lloyd , nicknamed Jaws, is an English professional darts player on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. He is a former world number one ranked player and he has won two major television titles in the PDC - the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay...3 12 12 25 19 5 72 92.49 Michael van GerwenMichael van GerwenMichael van Gerwen is a Dutch professional darts player, nicknamed Mighty Mike. He is the youngest player in history to win a major televised tournament in either the BDO or the PDC, winning the 2006 Winmau World Masters at the age of 17...1 3 6 13 5 1 60 92.10 John PartJohn PartJohn Part is a Canadian professional darts player, who is nicknamed Darth Maple.Part is one of only five players in darts history to be a three time World Champion...2 11 9 26 9 5 101 91.73 Robert ThorntonRobert Thornton (darts player)Robert Thornton is a Scottish darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events after his switch from the BDO in May 2008. He won the prestigious Winmau World Masters in November 2007.-BDO career:...5 43 38 99 58 20 150 91.62 Andy HamiltonAndy Hamilton (darts player)Andy Hamilton is a full time professional English darts player widely known for his "aggressive" style of play. He is nicknamed The Hammer and is currently ranked 12th on the PDC Order of Merit....2 8 8 23 11 1 44 90.78 Andy JenkinsAndy JenkinsAndy Jenkins is an English darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. Jenkins had trials for Southampton Football Club while at school.-BDO career:...1 4 6 15 5 0 84 90.75 Dennis PriestleyDennis PriestleyDennis Priestley is an English professional darts player. He has won two world championships, and was the first player to win both the BDO and WDC world championships, in 1991 and 1994 respectively...3 17 17 48 24 6 156 90.03 Kevin PainterKevin PainterKevin Painter is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments, where he is known as "The Artist"...2 11 11 28 17 3 105 89.02 Peter ManleyPeter ManleyPeter David Manley is an English professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He is nicknamed One Dart as he is known for hitting doubles with his first dart...1 2 6 13 7 0 101 88.25 Vincent van der VoortVincent van der VoortVincent van der Voort is a professional darts player.-Playing style:Vincent is well known for his spasmodic style and machine-gun speed of play which has gained him a reputation in both the BDO and the PDC for being one of the more erratic throwers in the darting world...2 9 8 17 13 4 161 88.22 Alex RoyAlex Roy (darts player)Alex Roy is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He uses the nickname Ace of Herts for this matches and is with Dave Holland Management....1 5 6 15 6 2 114 87.51 Adrian LewisAdrian LewisAdrian Lewis is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation who is the reigning PDC World Darts Champion...1 3 6 6 7 1 121 86.13 Denis OvensDenis OvensDenis Ovens is an English darts player currently ranked number 29 in the PDC Order of Merit. He is nicknamed The Heat and is now based in Stevenage. Ovens is widely regarded as one of the most consistent players in the circuit, though he has as yet failed to convert his form from the circuit to...1 3 6 13 4 3 78 84.80 Mark DudbridgeMark DudbridgeMark Daniel Dudbridge is an English professional darts player.-Darts career:He started playing in his very early teens, citing Dennis Priestley as one of his heroes...1 5 6 12 9 3 52 83.97 Steve BeatonSteve BeatonSteve Beaton is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation...1 2 6 8 2 2 106 83.34 Steve MaishSteve MaishSteve Maish is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. He uses the nickname Mr Magic for his matches....1 3 6 13 6 0 76 81.98 Felix McBreartyFelix McBreartyFelix McBrearty is a Northern Irish darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation.McBrearty began playing in PDC ranked event in 2004, playing mainly in Irish tournaments...1 2 6 8 4 0 40 81.69 Jamie CavenJamie CavenJamie Robert Caven is an English darts player. He uses the nickname Jabba for his matches and is sponsored by Unicorn....1 1 6 8 2 0 78 81.23 Colin OsborneColin OsborneColin Osborne is an English darts player currently playing in Professional Darts Corporation events.-Darts career:Osborne has won two PDC Pro Tour events and he also managed to hit two perfect nine dart finishes in 2005...1 1 6 6 3 1 92 79.74 Chris MasonChris Mason (darts player)Christopher John Mason is an English darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He uses the nickname Mace the Ace for his matches.- BDO and first PDC spell :...1 2 6 5 4 2 56 76.51
Prize money
The 2009 Players Championship Finals featured a prize fund of £200,000.
- Winner: £50,000
- Runner-Up: £25,000
- Semi-Finals: £12,500
- Quarter Finals: £8,500
- Second Round losers: £4,000
- First Round losers: £2,000
- High checkout: £2,000 (£1,000 to each winner)
Television Coverage
ITV4ITV4ITV4 is a British television station which was launched on 1 November 2005. It is owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc, and is part of the ITV network. The channel has a male-oriented line-up, including sport, cop shows and US comedies and dramas, as well as classic ITV action...
screened live coverage of the tournament, becoming ITV's third televised tournament after the Grand Slam of DartsGrand Slam of DartsThe Grand Slam of Darts is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation and is known as the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts for sponsorship purposes. The PDC also invites the best performing players from its rival the British Darts Organisation...
and the European ChampionshipEuropean Championship (darts)The European Championship is a PDC darts tournament which allows the top European players to compete with the highest ranked players from the PDC Order of Merit. The tournament takes place in late July to early August and features a field of 32...
. Also, there was nightly highlights shown on ITV1ITV1ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
. Again, Matt SmithMatt Smith (broadcaster)Matt Smith is a British broadcaster, and currently one of ITV Sport's main presenters.-Early life:Matt is a Modern Languages and Political Studies graduate from Sheffield City Polytechnic, where he studied from 1985-89. During that time he spent a year in Italy as part of his studies...
presented the coverage, with analysis from Chris MasonChris Mason (darts player)Christopher John Mason is an English darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He uses the nickname Mace the Ace for his matches.- BDO and first PDC spell :...
(once he had lost to van der Voort) and Alan Warriner-LittleAlan Warriner-LittleAlan Warriner-Little is an English professional darts player. He currently lives in Crosby, Cumbria and plays with the nickname The Iceman...
, commentary from Mason, Stuart PykeStuart PykeStuart Pyke is a British-born sports journalist and broadcaster. Stuart was born in St Helens, Merseyside, and is married to Christine. He has two children; Daniel and Rachael and two stepdaughters Emma and Victoria....
, John RawlingJohn RawlingJohn Rawling is a Boxing and Athletics commentator. Currently commentating for boxing on Sky Television and BoxNation, he was the lead commentator for Channel 4 in their coverage of the 2011 IAAF World Championship in Korea. He is also lead commentator on yachting for the Americas Cup World Series...
and Warriner-Little, and reports from Ned Boulting.