1998 World Matchplay

The 1998 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. The tournament ran from 27 July–1 August 1998, and was won by Rod Harrington.

1998 World Matchplay
Tournament information
Dates	27 July–1 August 1998
Venue	Winter Gardens
Location	Blackpool
Country	England
Organisation(s)	PDC
Format	Legs
Prize fund	£58,000
Winner's share	£14,000
High checkout	167 Alan Warriner
Champion(s)
Rod Harrington
«1997 1999»

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 keeping the match neck-and-neck. However, Harrington eventually trailed 14–17 and was only 1 leg from defeat. Baxter had a championship dart at double 20 in the 33rd leg but missed. At 17-17, a moment of significant darting history occurred when Harrington took out 125 via treble 15 and two consecutive double 20s. The standard check out route on 80 with two darts in hand had been, up to this point, almost invariably treble 20 and double ten. From then on, it would become more common to see players attempt the Harrington route. With Baxter (who had looked likely to regain the lead) demoralised, Harrington maintained a clear lead throughout the next leg, and sealed the title on double five.

Phil Taylor was the reigning champion going into the tournament, but lost 10-13 to Baxter in the quarter finals. Taylor had led 9-5 and 10-8.

Prize money

The prize fund was £58,000.

Position (no. of players)		Prize money (Total: £58,000)
Winner	(1)	£14,000
Runner-Up	(1)	£7,000
Semi-finalists	(2)	£3,500
Quarter-finalists	(4)	£2,000
Second round	(8)	£1,250
First round	(16)	£750

Seeds

There were eight seeds for the competition.

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

Results

Players in bold denote match winners.

	First round (best of 15 legs) 26–27 July					Second round (best of 15 legs) 28 July					Quarter-finals (best of 25 legs) 29–30 July					Semi-finals (best of 25 legs) 31 July					Final (best of 35 legs) 1 August
	1	Rod Harrington 92.04	8
		Kevin Spiolek 86.79	4
						1	Rod Harrington 91.32	8
							Gary Mawson 86.73	6
		Gary Mawson 89.82	9
		Paul Lim 88.32	7
											1	Rod Harrington 92.04	14
												Bob Anderson 89.88	12
	8	Steve Brown 87.09	8
		Dennis Smith 83.55	4
						8	Steve Brown 93.96	4
							Bob Anderson 92.13	8
		Bob Anderson 85.62	8
		Cliff Lazarenko 81.75	2
																1	Rod Harrington 92.82	13
																	Keith Deller 82.65	10
	5	Peter Evison 95.64	4
		Keith Deller 94.80	8
							Keith Deller 81.12	8
							Mick Manning 90.21	6
		Mick Manning 91.32	9
		Reg Harding 89.70	7
												Keith Deller 84.36	13
											4	Peter Manley 89.07	9
	4	Peter Manley 91.02	8
		Ritchie Gardner 83.73	5
						4	Peter Manley 90.99	8
							Jamie Harvey 92.16	6
		Jamie Harvey 87.15	8
		Steve Raw 91.08	6
																					1	Rod Harrington 95.04	19
																						Ronnie Baxter 94.08	17
	2	Alan Warriner 92.46	8
		Harry Robinson 78.00	2
						2	Alan Warriner 93.69	7
							Steve Beaton 88.95	9
		Steve Beaton 87.30	8
		Shayne Burgess 87.06	4
												Steve Beaton 89.07	6
												Chris Mason 94.20	13
	7	John Part 87.18	5
		Chris Mason 90.78	8
							Chris Mason 77.61	8
							Gerald Verrier 68.19	3
		Gerald Verrier 76.14	8
		Eric Bristow 73.44	5
																	Chris Mason 97.74	11
																	Ronnie Baxter 97.38	13
	6	Dennis Priestley 90.45	7
		John Ferrell 83.34	9
							John Ferrell 87.72	5
							Ronnie Baxter 93.81	8
		Ronnie Baxter 89.34	14
		Andy Jenkins 81.75	12
												Ronnie Baxter 97.05	13
											3	Phil Taylor 99.48	10
	3	Phil Taylor 96.18	8
		Graeme Stoddart 80.10	1
						3	Phil Taylor	8
							Robbie Widdows	2
		Robbie Widdows	8
		John Lowe	6