The 1998 Skol World Darts Championship was held between 29 December 1997–4 January 1998 at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex. Skol, who sponsored the inaugural event in 1994 returned as title sponsors – which they were to fulfil for the next five years.[1]
Following an out-of-court settlement (Tomlin Order) on 30 June 1997, the World Darts Council (WDC) agreed to change its name to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and the tournament was thus the PDC World Darts Championship.
John Part, who won the first Embassy/BDO World Championship after the 1992–93 "split" had joined the PDC but failed to qualify beyond the group stage. Peter Manley had emerged as a rising talent in the PDC and was seeded 7th for the championship. He lost a close quarter-final to eventual finalist, Dennis Priestley. Priestley lost his third successive final to Phil Taylor – this defeat being the most convincing 6 sets to 0. Rod Harrington was the only player who managed to take any sets from the Power during his 2–5 semi-final defeat.
Phil Taylor became the most successful player in World Championship history – winning his 6th title (4 in the PDC and 2 in the BDO), eclipsing Eric Bristow who won five titles during the 1980s. It was also Taylor's fourth title in a row.
Prize money
The prize fund was £71,000.
- Champion: £20,000
- Runner-up: £10,000
- 3rd Place: £1,000
- Semi-Finalists (2): £4,000
- Quarter-Finalists (4): £2,000
- Group RU (8): £1,500[3]
