Phil Taylor ends speculation of a sensational return to competitive darts as he needs hip surgery
PHIL TAYLOR has ended speculation about a sensational comeback by deciding against an immediate return to competitive darts.
SunSport reported this week that Taylor, 59, has discussed the prospect of playing in the UK Open Amateur Qualifiers in February at the Riley Sports Bars.
Taylor, the 16-time world darts champion, retired two years ago but PDC chairman Barry Hearn says the pair had talked about a potential yet temporary route back on the circuit.
However, Taylor now says he does not have time to commit to the Riley qualifiers and he needs to factor in a hip operation later this summer.
He tweeted: “Having checked the schedule that I have this year and commitments, I have already made to sponsors and promoters it means it is impossible for me to contemplate coming out of retirement for the UK Open qualifiers.
“And I need a new hip Haha.”
Taylor recently paid tribute to his former rival Raymond van Barneveld, after the Dutchman confirmed that he would walk away from darts after his PDC World Darts Championship campaign.
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He said: "There was always a sense of occasion when I played Barney.
“I don’t know if it was the England v Holland thing, or whether it was a rivalry based on the two best players.
“But it felt like Roy Keane against Patrick Vieira or Nigel Benn against Chris Eubank.”