Guest Post
We have had some fantastic players grace the stage at the World Championships. There have been the obvious titans of the game, Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, Michael Van Gerwen and Gary Anderson. There are also many who have been good enough to play a World Championship, but not manage to win it. With this year’s championship set to be one of the most hotly contested, who are the best ever darts players who have never won a championship? |
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Andy Hamilton
‘The Hammer’ has been a consistent presence in the game. He has been reaching semi-finals on a consistent level and has been at the top of the Darts game since 2004. His best performance at a World Championship came back in 2012 where he lost in the final to Adrian Lewis. Despite the loss it was still a phenomenal performance. The man started the tournament at 200-1 odds! That tournament was arguably Hamilton’s best. His finishing was second to none. He beat, Antonio Alcinas, Vincent van der Voort, Dave Chisnall, Kim Huybrechts and of course Simon Whitlock. The Whitlock match is perhaps one of Hamilton’s greatest ever matches at a World Championship. He found himself down at 5-3, before throwing some brilliant darts including four ton-plus finishes to reach the final. Hamilton will always be a contender at major PDC tournaments. Unfortunately, though his last outing at a World Championship was not that good, with ‘The Hammer’ losing in the first round. Personally I think it might be too late for Hamilton at a World Championships.Terry Jenkins
Jenkins once reached number four in the world rankings and was always considered a World Championship contender. However, ‘The Bull’ has not won any of his nine PDC finals losing all of them. His best World Championship performance came in 2011 where he managed to reach the semi-finals. Although he got this far it wasn’t a brilliant performance from Jenkins. He was nervy throughout the tournament, he never appeared that comfortable on stage. He did manage to produce his first ever televised 170 checkout, in his quarter-final victory over Wes Newton. Although Jenkins has been an ever presence within PDC tournaments, he will have to massively pick up his game if he is to improve on that semi-final appearance. His last World Championship tournament ended in a first round loss, winning only four legs! Jenkins does remain upbeat claiming he will win a major. There is no doubt Jenkins has the potential to win a World Championship. Hopefully with his can-do attitude he can eventually do it!Peter Wright
Wright has really come into his own the past few years. ‘Snakebite’ may have surprised a few when reaching the 2014 final at the World Championships, but his performances since have shown he was there on merit not luck! He has done well the past few years reaching the final of the UK Open the past two years. However, he is yet to win a PDC event. Although his 2014 final opponent Van Gerwen is favourite again, if Wright can re-find some of that form that took him to the 2014 final, he should give the Dutchman a good run for his money. Wright is arguably the best player on the list. He is the youngest out of the bunch and has the charisma to go all the way. Having the right mentality is arguably the most important thing for darts players.There are a few names who have missed out. Bobby George, James Wade and Chris Mason must get an honourable mention! But in terms of consistently doing well over the years, then these are my pick of the bunch. So what do you think? Will ‘Snakebite’ live up to his potential and claim a World Championship? Or will it be a new player on the scene that brings home the next major?
