The 1997 Webster's World Matchplay was the fourth time the
World Matchplay darts tournament had been held in the
Empress Ballroom
The Empress Ballroom is an entertainment venue in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It is located within the Winter Gardens, a large entertainment complex in the town centre.
As part of the Winter Gardens, the ballroom is a Grade II* Listed Bu ...
at the
Winter Gardens,
Blackpool
Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...
between 28 July–2 August 1997.
Two Preliminary round ties were decided even before the players could even reach the oche, with the USA's Larry Butler and Holland's Raymond Barneveld being disqualified for failing to arrive at the venue in enough time to play their rivals, allowing Dean Allsop and Mick Manning an easy passage to the first round.
This was brewery
Samuel Webster's third and final year as tournament sponsor. The tournament was won by
Phil Taylor.
Prize money
The prize fund was £46,000.
Seeds
Results
Preliminary round
Last 32
Third place playoff ''(best of 21 legs)'' (4)
Rod Harrington 11–10
Richie Burnett
Richard Mark "Richie" Burnett (born 7 February 1967), nicknamed Prince of Wales, is a Welsh professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He is a former World No. 1 who won the 1995 Embassy World Darts Cha ...
References
{{World Matchplay (darts)
World Matchplay (darts)
World Matchplay Darts