| 2011 Skybet World Matchplay | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament information | |||
| Dates | 16–24 July 2011 | ||
| Venue | Winter Gardens | ||
| Location | Blackpool, England | ||
| Organisation(s) | Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) | ||
| Format | Legs | ||
| Prize fund | £400,000 | ||
| Winner's share | £100,000 | ||
| Nine-dart finish |  John Part | ||
| High checkout | 170  Adrian Lewis Wes Newton James Wade | ||
| Champion(s) | |||
| Phil Taylor | |||
| |||
The 2011 Skybet World Matchplay was the 18th annual staging of the World Matchplay, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation. The tournament took place from 16–24 July 2011. It was sponsored by Skybet (who had previously sponsored the UK Open and the World Grand Prix) who took over from Stan James after 10 years.[1]
Phil Taylor successfully defended his title, defeating James Wade 18–8 in the final to win his twelfth World Matchplay crown and his fourth in successive years.
In the quarter-final, Andy Hamilton produced a remarkable comeback. Trailing 8–15 to Simon Whitlock and only one leg from defeat, Hamilton won nine consecutive legs to advance to the semi-finals.[2]
John Part recorded his first and only televised nine-dart finish, and the third in Matchplay history, in his first-round defeat to Mark Webster.
The 2011 World Matchplay is notable for being the last darts tournament on Sky Sports where long-time commentator, Sid Waddell, commentated full-time. He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September 2011, underwent treatment, and made a brief return to the commentary box during the 2012 Premier League Darts. Waddell died from the bowel cancer on the 11 August 2012, the day after his 72nd birthday.
- ^ "Sky Bet Mobile Back World Matchplay". PDC. June 20, 2011. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
- ^ "Andy Hamilton stunned by comeback at World Matchplay". BBC. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.