Gary Anderson beats Mensur Suljovic to win Phil Taylor Trophy and land coveted Triple Crown
He becomes just the third man after Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen to win the big three trophies in darts
GARY ANDERSON counted his lucky stars as he secured darts’ Triple Crown.
The Scot beat Mensur Suljovic 21-19 in a thrilling final in Blackpool to lift inaugural Phil Taylor Trophy and receive a winners’ cheque of £115,000.
The 47-year-old is the third man after Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen to win the sport’s three top majors – the Premier League, the world matchplay and the world championships.
Anderson also scooped an extra £45,000 bonus for his nine-dart finish in the tournament, but he admitted: “It was a struggle up there. I always struggle against Mensur.
“Even one of my match darts on bullseye bounced out. I got away with that. I rode my luck tonight.”
Both men scored averages more than 101, there were 15 legs against the throw and 28 180s on display.
Serbian-born Austrian Suljovic, 46, said: “This was a very good game. Gary played well and he was the best guy in the tournament. I lose, but it’s okay.”
Anderson’s match stats made for impressive reading as he clocked up an average of 101.12, although Suljovic managed to outdo that with 104.43.
Both men hit 14 180s, although Suljovic threw plenty more 140 + and 100 +s.
But it was the legs won against the throw which proved decisive with Anderson winning eight to his opponent’s seven.
