The 1998 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom

Empress Ballroom

The Empress Ballroom is a 3,000 capacity entertainment venue, in Blackpool Lancashire, England. It is located within the Winter Gardens, a large entertainment complex in the town centre....

 at the Winter Gardens

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

The Winter Gardens is a large entertainment complex in the town centre of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It has twelve different venues, including a theatre, ballroom and conference facilities. Opened in 1878, it is a Grade II* listed building, incorporating various elements built between 1875 and...

, Blackpool

Blackpool

Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...

. The tournament ran from 27 July through 1 August 1998, and was won by Rod Harrington

Rod Harrington

Rod Harrington is a former English darts player. He used the nickname The Prince of Style for his matches, often wearing a suit and waistcoast for his games...

.

1st Round

(best of 15 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

Monday 27 July 1998

• Steve Brown (USA,8) v Dennis Smith (Eng) 8 - 4
• Mick Manning (Eng) v Reg Harding (Eng) 9 - 7
• Peter Manley (Eng,4) v Ritchie Gardner (Eng) 8 - 5

Tuesday 28 July

• Rod Harrington (Eng,1) v Kevin Spiolek (Eng) 8 - 4
• Gary Mawson (Can) v Paul Lim (USA) 9 - 7
• Bob Anderson (Eng) v Cliff Lazarenko (Eng) 8 - 2
• Keith Deller (Eng) v Peter Evison (Eng,5) 8 - 4
• Jamie Harvey (Sco) v Steve Raw (Eng) 8 - 6
• Alan Warriner (Eng,2) v Harry Robinson (Eng) 8 - 2
• Steve Beaton (Eng) v Shayne Burgess (Eng) 8 - 4

Wednesday 29 July

• Ronnie Baxter (Eng) v Andy Jenkins (Eng) 14 - 12
• Chris Mason (Eng) v John Part (Can) 8 - 5
• Phil Taylor (Eng) v Graeme Stoddart (Eng) 8 - 1
• Gerald Verrier (USA) v Eric Bristow (Eng) 8 - 5
• John Ferrell (Eng) v Dennis Priestley (Eng) 9 - 7
• Robbie Widdows (Eng) v John Lowe (Eng) 8 - 6

2nd Round

(best of 15 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

Wednesday 29 July

• Bob Anderson (Eng) v Steve Brown (USA,8) 8 - 4
• Rod Harrington (Eng) v Gary Mawson (Can) 8 - 6

Thursday 30 July

• Keith Deller (Eng) v Mick Manning (Eng) 8 - 6
• Chris Mason (Eng) v Gerald Verrier (USA) 8 - 3
• Phil Taylor (Eng) v Robbie Widdows (Eng) 8 - 2
• Ronnie Baxter (Eng) v John Ferrell (Eng) 8 - 5
• Steve Beaton (Eng) v Alan Warriner (Eng,2) 10 - 8
• Peter Manley (Eng) v Jamie Harvey (Sco) 8 - 6

Quarter finals

(best of 25 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

Friday 31 July

• Bob Anderson (Eng) v Rod Harrington (Eng,1) 12 - 14
• Keith Deller (Eng) v Peter Manley (Eng) 13 - 9
• Chris Mason (Eng) v Steve Beaton (Eng) 13 - 6
• Phil Taylor (Eng) v Ronnie Baxter (Eng) 10 - 13

Semi finals

(best of 25 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

Saturday 1 August

• Keith Deller (Eng) v Rod Harrington (Eng,1) 10 - 13
• Ronnie Baxter (Eng) v Chris Mason (Eng) 13 - 11

Final

(best of 31 legs, must win by 2 clear legs)

• Ronnie Baxter(Eng) v Rod Harrington (Eng,1) 17 - 19