1998 World Matchplay (darts)

World Matchplay
Tournament information
Dates	27 July - 1 August 1998
Venue	Winter Gardens
Location	Blackpool
Country	England
Organisation(s)	PDC
Format	Legs
Prize fund	£53,750
Winners share	£14,000
High checkout	167 Alan Warriner
Champion(s)
Rod Harrington
«1997 1999»

The 1998 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. The tournament ran from 27 July through 1 August 1998, and was won by Rod Harrington. A classic final between Harrington and Ronnie Baxter was characterised with deadly finishing from Baxter, who led the final for most of the way, and Harrington's stubbornness in clinging on and refusing to accept defeat. Harrington trailed 14-17 and was only 1 leg from defeat. Baxter had a championship dart at double 20 in the 34th leg but missed, and Harrington took it into a tiebreak at 17-17. Harrington then took out a 125 outshot (treble 15, 2 double 20s) in the 35th leg with Baxter waiting on 40, and then won the title with a 19-17 victory.

Seeds

1. Rod Harrington
2. Alan Warriner
3. Phil Taylor
4. Peter Manley
5. Peter Evison
6. Dennis Priestley
7. John Part
8. Steve Brown

Prize money

The prize fund was £53,750.

Champion: £14,000

Runner-Up: £7,000

Semi-Finalists : £3,500

Quarter-Finalists : £2,000

2nd Round: £1,250

1st Round: £750

Results

	First Round (best of 15 legs)					Second Round (best of 15 legs)					Quarter-Finals (best of 25 legs)					Semi-Finals (best of 25 legs)					Final (best of 35 legs)
	1	Rod Harrington	8
		Kevin Spiolek	4
						1	Rod Harrington	8
							Gary Mawson	6
		Gary Mawson	9
		Paul Lim	7
											1	Rod Harrington	14
												Bob Anderson	12
	8	Steve Brown	8
		Dennis Smith	4
						8	Steve Brown	4
							Bob Anderson	8
		Bob Anderson	8
		Cliff Lazarenko	2
																1	Rod Harrington	13
																	Keith Deller	10
	5	Peter Evison	4
		Keith Deller	8
							Keith Deller	8
							Mick Manning	6
		Mick Manning	9
		Reg Harding	7
												Keith Deller	13
											4	Peter Manley	9
	4	Peter Manley	8
		Ritchie Gardner	5
						4	Peter Manley	8
							Jamie Harvey	6
		Jamie Harvey	8
		Steve Raw	6
																					1	Rod Harrington	19
																						Ronnie Baxter	17
	2	Alan Warriner	8
		Harry Robinson	2
						2	Alan Warriner	7
							Steve Beaton	9
		Steve Beaton	8
		Shayne Burgess	4
												Steve Beaton	6
												Chris Mason	13
	7	John Part	5
		Chris Mason	8
							Chris Mason	8
							Gerald Verrier	3
		Gerald Verrier	8
		Eric Bristow	5
																	Chris Mason	11
																	Ronnie Baxter	13
	6	Dennis Priestley	7
		John Ferrell	9
							John Ferrell	5
							Ronnie Baxter	8
		Ronnie Baxter	14
		Andy Jenkins	12
												Ronnie Baxter	13
											3	Phil Taylor	10
	3	Phil Taylor	8
		Graeme Stoddart	1
						3	Phil Taylor	8
							Robbie Widdows	2
		Robbie Widdows	8
		John Lowe	6

References