Martin Phillips (born 30 April 1960) is a Welsh former professional
darts
Darts or dart-throwing is a competitive sport in which two or more players bare-handedly throw small projectile point, sharp-pointed projectile, missiles known as dart (missile), darts at a round shooting target, target known as a #Dartboard, dar ...
player who competed in the
British Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation (BDO) was a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft. Made up of 66 member counties, it oversaw professional, semi-professional and amateur darts competitions in Britain. The BDO was a founder ...
(BDO). He won the 2014
World Masters
The World Masters, known for sponsorship reasons as the Mita/Sky World Masters, was a snooker tournament held between 13 and 26 January 1991. Conceived by promoter Barry Hearn, the tournament had a similar format to the Grand Slam events in tenn ...
championship.
Darts career
1988–1994
Phillips was born in
Dolgellau
Dolgellau () is a town and community in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, a tributary of the River Mawddach. It was the traditional county town of the historic county of Merionethshire ( cy, Meirionnydd, Sir Feirionnydd) un ...
, and made his first televised darts appearance at the
1988 British Professional Championship reaching the last 16.
In
1991
File:1991 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Boris Yeltsin, elected as Russia's first president, waves the new flag of Russia after the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, orchestrated by Soviet hardliners; Mount Pinatubo erupts in the Phil ...
, he appeared at his first World Championship losing in the first round to the defending champion
Phil Taylor.
In
1992
File:1992 Events Collage V1.png, From left, clockwise: 1992 Los Angeles riots, Riots break out across Los Angeles, California after the Police brutality, police beating of Rodney King; El Al Flight 1862 crashes into a residential apartment buildi ...
he defeated the Dutchman
Bert Vlaardingerbroek
Bert Vlaardingerbroek (born 24 March 1960) is a Dutch former professional darts player who competed in events of the British Darts Organisation (BDO), Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), and World Darts Federation (WDF).
Career
Vlaardingerb ...
3–0 in the first round and knocked out five-time world champion
Eric Bristow
Eric John Bristow, (25 April 1957 – 5 April 2018), nicknamed "The Crafty Cockney", was an English professional darts player.
He was ranked World No. 1 by the World Darts Federation a record five times, in 1980, 1981 and 1983–1985. He was ...
3–2 in the second round to reach the quarter final where he was defeated again by Taylor, who went on to clinch his second World title.
He also played in
1993 and
1994
File:1994 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 1994 Winter Olympics are held in Lillehammer, Norway; The Kaiser Permanente building after the 1994 Northridge earthquake; A model of the MS Estonia, which Sinking of the MS Estonia, sank in ...
, reaching the second round in both tournaments, losing both times to
Bobby George
Robert Francis George (born 16 December 1945) is an English television presenter and former professional darts player. He is widely recognised as one of the game's biggest personalities, known for his flamboyant entrances in which the "King ...
.
Phillips remained in the
British Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation (BDO) was a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft. Made up of 66 member counties, it oversaw professional, semi-professional and amateur darts competitions in Britain. The BDO was a founder ...
's events during the
split in darts
The split in darts refers to the acrimonious dispute between top professional darts players and the game's governing body, the British Darts Organisation (BDO), in 1993, leading to the formation of the World Darts Council (WDC). Between 1994 and ...
between 1993 and 1994 – but the first year after the split proved to be his last appearance at the
Lakeside World Championship for nine years.
1994–2006
Although he failed to qualify for the World Championships for several years, he picked up two WDF Europe Cup pairs titles, in 1994 with
Eric Burden and 1998 with
Sean Palfrey
Sean, also spelled Seán or Séan in Irish English, is a male given name of Irish origin. It comes from the Irish versions of the Biblical Hebrew name ''Yohanan'' (), Seán (anglicized as ''Shaun/Shawn/ Shon'') and Séan (Ulster variant; angliciz ...
– plus a WDF World Cup pairs title also with Palfrey in 1997. He had limited singles success for over a decade, with only three semi-final appearances at the Isle of Man Open (1996, 1997 and 2000)
He returned for the
2003 BDO World Darts Championship, but lost in the first round to
John Walton and would then miss out on qualification for the event for the next three years, leaving him with just the one appearance at the Lakeside in 13 years.
2007–2011
In
2007, Phillips returned to the Lakeside but lost again in the first round, this time to Scotland's
Paul Hanvidge
Paul Albert Hanvidge (born 15 June 1961) is a former Scottish professional darts player. His best achievement is reaching the quarter-finals of the Lakeside World Championship twice.
Career
Hanvidge was the 2005 German Open Champion and made ...
.
His form began to improve during 2007 with a tournament win at the Turunç Open in Turkey, and semi-final appearances at the Welsh Classic and Northern Ireland Open. Towards the end of 2007 he was on the receiving end of a defeat and a nine-dart finish by
John Walton in their last 16 match at the
2007 Winmau World Masters.
At the
2008 BDO World Championship, Phillips beat
Shaun Greatbatch
Shaun Greatbatch (13 July 1969 – 5 June 2022) was an English professional darts player. He lived in Suffolk and worked in the construction industry. His nickname was Nine Dart Man, having been the first player to hit a perfect nine dart fin ...
in the last 32 but lost in the second round to reigning champion
Martin Adams
Martin Adams (born 4 June 1956) is an English professional darts player who plays in World Darts Federation (WDF) events. Nicknamed "Wolfie", he is a three-time BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion. He represents Cambridges ...
. Another first round exit followed in the
2009 BDO World Championship, losing 3–1 to
Ross Montgomery
Ross Montgomery (born 16 October 1962), nicknamed The Boss, is a Scottish professional darts player who played in World Darts Federation (WDF) tournaments and as of January 14th 2022 now plays on the Professional Darts Corporat ...
,
but he picked up the 2009 Border Classic title and reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Open and Welsh Classic.
In the
2010 BDO World Championship, Phillips went on to reach the semi-finals for the first time in his career beating seventh seed
Dave Prins
David Michael Prins (born 16 November 1968) is an English professional darts player.
Career
Prins reached the last 16 of the 2009 Winmau World Masters, where he lost to Tony O'Shea in three straight sets.
Prins qualified for his first BDO Wo ...
3–0 in the first round, qualifier
Paul Carter 4–2 in the second round and second seed
Scott Waites
Scott Waites (born 17 February 1977) is an English professional darts player who plays in tournaments of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). He is a two-time BDO World Darts Champion having won the 2013 tournament and 2016 tournament. ...
in the quarter-finals. Phillips had gone into a 4–0 lead before Waites brought the scores level at 4–4, before Phillips showed better consistency in the final set to reach the last four where he was beaten 6–4 by Martin Adams.
In October 2010 he won the biggest title of his career so far by winning the
WDF Europe Cup
The WDF Europe Cup is a darts tournament held biennially since 1978. The tournament consists of a team championship, a pairs championship and a singles championship. All events have a men's competition, and a women's competition (since 1982).
Tou ...
beating 2010 World Champion
Martin Adams
Martin Adams (born 4 June 1956) is an English professional darts player who plays in World Darts Federation (WDF) events. Nicknamed "Wolfie", he is a three-time BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion. He represents Cambridges ...
on the way to the final where he beat
Willy van de Wiel
Willy van de Wiel (born 15 April 1982) is a Dutch former professional darts player.
BDO career
Van de Wiel won the 2008 Norway Open, beating Dave Chisnall, Stephen Bunting and John Henderson, before beating Paul Hanvidge in the final. He also ...
7–3. Two weeks later, he won seven matches to reach the semi-finals of the
Winmau World Masters
The World Masters is one of the longest-running and most prestigious of the BDO/WDF tournaments, which began in 1974. The tournament is sponsored by darts board manufacturer, Winmau. The World Masters was unusual in darts in that its sets are th ...
for the first time before losing to
Stuart Kellett
Stuart Kellett (born 12 August 1981) is a former English darts player.
BDO career
Kellett reached the last 16 of the 2007 Winmau World Masters, having beaten Andy Fordham among others on the way to the televised stages. He lost 1-3 in sets t ...
. In November 2010, Phillips made his first appearance at the
Grand Slam of Darts
The Grand Slam of Darts is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation and is known as the Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts for sponsorship purposes. The PDC also invited the best performing players from its rival, the British Dart ...
having qualified through his runs to the semi-finals at the Lakeside. In the group stages, he beat
Adrian Lewis
Adrian Lewis (born 21 January 1985) is an English professional darts player currently playing in the PDC. He is a two-time PDC World Darts Champion, winning in 2011 and 2012. He is nicknamed Jackpot, as he won a jackpot gambling in Las Vegas ...
(who went on to become
PDC World Champion just two months later) 5–2 in legs. Phillips did not qualify from the group stages after losing 1–5 to
Scott Waites
Scott Waites (born 17 February 1977) is an English professional darts player who plays in tournaments of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). He is a two-time BDO World Darts Champion having won the 2013 tournament and 2016 tournament. ...
and 4–5 to
Co Stompé
Jacobus Wilhelmus "Co" Stompé (born 10 September 1962) is a Dutch former professional darts player. He was nicknamed The Matchstick because of his almost bald head and very thin appearance, making him look like a matchstick. He was also one of ...
.
He made the semi-finals for the second year running at the
2011 BDO World Championship, beating
Mark Barilli
Mark Barilli (born 14 November 1973) is a Scottish darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He is well known for his throwing style where he changes the speed of his throw from fast to slow alternatively, and also ...
3–0,
Joey ten Berge
Joey ten Berge (born 18 October 1985) is a Dutch former darts player.
Career BDO
Ten Berge won the 2001 WDF Europe Youth Cup beating Sweden's Markus Korhonen in the final. Six years later, he captured his first professional title by capturing ...
4–3 and
Gary Robson 5–4, then lost a repeat of the previous year's semi-final match with Martin Adams 4–6.
He has appeared at 2011 Grand Slam of darts and he has had a better year then in 2010. He qualified from his group despite losing to
Adrian Lewis
Adrian Lewis (born 21 January 1985) is an English professional darts player currently playing in the PDC. He is a two-time PDC World Darts Champion, winning in 2011 and 2012. He is nicknamed Jackpot, as he won a jackpot gambling in Las Vegas ...
5–4 he claimed victories over Dutchman
Co Stompé
Jacobus Wilhelmus "Co" Stompé (born 10 September 1962) is a Dutch former professional darts player. He was nicknamed The Matchstick because of his almost bald head and very thin appearance, making him look like a matchstick. He was also one of ...
and
Vincent van der Voort
Vincent van der Voort (born 18 December 1975) is a Dutch professional darts player on the PDC circuit. As of the 2012 PDC World Darts Championship, his nickname is the "Dutch Destroyer", although he used to go by "Grease Lightning". He is bes ...
both 5–2, To set up a last 16 clash with fellow countryman and former
World Champion
A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game, ...
Mark Webster who he lost 10–8 having led 3–0 and 8–5.
2014: Masters Champion
After losing as an unseeded player to
Wesley Harms
Wesley Harms (born 11 June 1984) is a Dutch former professional darts player.
Career
Harms won the BDO International Open in 2011, defeating Stephen Bunting in the final.
Harms qualified for the 2012 BDO World Darts Championship as the 13t ...
in the first round of the World Championship in 2012, Phillips failed to qualify for Lakeside in either 2013 or 2014. However, he bounced back spectacularly by regaining his place in the world's top 8, before winning the first major TV title in his 26-year career at the
Winmau World Masters
The World Masters is one of the longest-running and most prestigious of the BDO/WDF tournaments, which began in 1974. The tournament is sponsored by darts board manufacturer, Winmau. The World Masters was unusual in darts in that its sets are th ...
. After reaching the semi-finals without dropping a set, Phillips survived a match dart in a deciding leg victory over
Glen Durrant
Glen Durrant (born 24 November 1970), nicknamed "Duzza", is an English former professional darts player who played in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He previously won the BDO World Darts Championship three times consecutively fr ...
before beating
Jamie Hughes 7–3 in the final. Phillips would become the BDO world number one in November that year. However, seeded fifth at the 2015 BDO World Championship, Phillips was defeated 3–0 by
Madars Razma
Madars Razma (born 26 September 1988) is a Latvian professional darts player nicknamed Latvian Razmatazz who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He won the Latvia National Championships in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Car ...
in the first round. At the 2015 Winmau World Masters, Phillips' title defence was ended at the quarter final stage by
Glen Durrant
Glen Durrant (born 24 November 1970), nicknamed "Duzza", is an English former professional darts player who played in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He previously won the BDO World Darts Championship three times consecutively fr ...
, who avenged his semi final loss to Phillips from the previous year.
2019
As of 16 November 2019, Phillips has not participated in any darts tournament.
World Championship results
BDO
* 1991: 1st round (lost to
Phil Taylor 1–3)
* 1992: Quarter-finals (lost to Phil Taylor 0–4)
* 1993: 2nd round (lost to
Bobby George
Robert Francis George (born 16 December 1945) is an English television presenter and former professional darts player. He is widely recognised as one of the game's biggest personalities, known for his flamboyant entrances in which the "King ...
0–3)
* 1994: 2nd round (lost to Bobby George 1–3)
* 2003: 1st round (lost to
John Walton 2–3)
* 2007: 1st round (lost to
Paul Hanvidge
Paul Albert Hanvidge (born 15 June 1961) is a former Scottish professional darts player. His best achievement is reaching the quarter-finals of the Lakeside World Championship twice.
Career
Hanvidge was the 2005 German Open Champion and made ...
2–3)
* 2008: 2nd round (lost to
Martin Adams
Martin Adams (born 4 June 1956) is an English professional darts player who plays in World Darts Federation (WDF) events. Nicknamed "Wolfie", he is a three-time BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion. He represents Cambridges ...
0–4)
* 2009: 1st round (lost to
Ross Montgomery
Ross Montgomery (born 16 October 1962), nicknamed The Boss, is a Scottish professional darts player who played in World Darts Federation (WDF) tournaments and as of January 14th 2022 now plays on the Professional Darts Corporat ...
1–3)
* 2010: Semi-finals (lost to
Martin Adams
Martin Adams (born 4 June 1956) is an English professional darts player who plays in World Darts Federation (WDF) events. Nicknamed "Wolfie", he is a three-time BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion. He represents Cambridges ...
4–6)
* 2011: Semi-finals (lost to
Martin Adams
Martin Adams (born 4 June 1956) is an English professional darts player who plays in World Darts Federation (WDF) events. Nicknamed "Wolfie", he is a three-time BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion. He represents Cambridges ...
4–6)
* 2012: 1st round (lost to
Wesley Harms
Wesley Harms (born 11 June 1984) is a Dutch former professional darts player.
Career
Harms won the BDO International Open in 2011, defeating Stephen Bunting in the final.
Harms qualified for the 2012 BDO World Darts Championship as the 13t ...
1–3)
* 2015: 1st round (lost to
Madars Razma
Madars Razma (born 26 September 1988) is a Latvian professional darts player nicknamed Latvian Razmatazz who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He won the Latvia National Championships in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Car ...
0–3)
* 2016: 2nd round (lost to
Dennis Harbour
Dennis Harbour (born 28 June 1961) is a former England, English darts player. His nickname was The Harbour Master.
Career
Harbour played in the 1989 Winmau World Masters and lost in the first round to Dave Whitcombe. He returned to the Master ...
1-4)
* 2017: 1st round (lost to
Paul Hogan
Paul Hogan (born 8 October 1939) is an Australian actor and comedian. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance as ...
2-3)
* 2018: 2nd round (lost to
Michael Unterbuchner
Michael Unterbuchner (born 23 May 1988) is a German darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He reached the semi-finals of the BDO World Championship on two of his three appearances.
Career
In 2017, Unterbuchner ...
2-4)
* 2019: 1st round (lost to
Conan Whitehead
Conan Whitehead (born 18 February 1986) is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He is a former quarter-finalist of the BDO World Darts Championship.
Career
Whitehead has competed in n ...
2-3)
Career finals
BDO major finals: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)
WDF major finals: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)
Performance timeline
References
External links
Profile at Darts Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, Martin
1960 births
Living people
Welsh darts players
People from Dolgellau
Sportspeople from Gwynedd
British Darts Organisation players