The Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running and most prestigious professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship

World Professional Darts Championship

The World Professional Darts Championship is one of the most important tournaments in the darts calendar. Originally held as an annual event between 1978 and 1993, players then broke off into two separate organisations after a controversial split in the game...

. The tournament has been sponsored by Darts board manufacturer, Winmau

Winmau

Winmau is a British manufacturer of dartboards, other darts equipment and title sponsor of the oldest darts tournament still running, the Winmau World Masters....

 for 30 years and they have currently extended their contract to sponsor the event until 2015.

It was previously the final leg of the BDO’s

British Darts Organisation

The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....

 Grand Slam title of televised majors, along with the Topic International Darts League

International Darts League

The Topic International Darts League was a darts tournament held at the Triavium in Nijmegen, Netherlands. Raymond van Barneveld dominated the tournament, held in his home country, winning it on three of the five occasions it was held...

, the Bavaria World Darts Trophy

World Darts Trophy

The World Darts Trophy was a darts tournament held each September at De Vechtsebanen in Utrecht, Netherlands between 2002 and 2007. The tournament has a playing format comparable with the two World Championships, the BDO World Darts Championship and the PDC World Darts Championship...

 and the Lakeside World Professional Championship

BDO World Darts Championship

The BDO World Darts Championship is a world championship competition in darts, organised by the British Darts Organisation . It began in 1978, and was the only world championship tournament until 1994...

. However, it is now one of only two major BDO events and is considered to be the second biggest tournament after the World Championship. The champion is prestigiously referred to as the World Master.

Venues

1974-1976 West Centre Hotel, Fulham

1977-1981 Wembley Conference Centre

Wembley Conference Centre

Wembley Conference Centre was a conference centre near Wembley Stadium, Wembley, in London, England.-History:Opened in 1977, it was the first purpose built Conference Centre in the UK. Events included conferences, corporate hospitality, annual general meetings, banquets and sports events including...

 (finals were played at Horticultural Hall, Victoria, London in 1978 due to electrician's industrial action at Wembley)

1982-1989 Rainbow Suite, Kensington

1990-1991 Ramada Inn. Lillie Road, West London

1992-1995 Earls Court

Earls Court Exhibition Centre

The Earls Court Exhibition Centre is an exhibition centre, conference and event venue located in west London, United Kingdom in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea . It is the largest exhibition venue in central London. It is served by two underground stations, Earl's Court and West...

, London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

1996-1997 Paragon Hotel, Lillie Road, London

1998-2001 Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green Surrey

2002-2005 Bridlington Spa Royal Hall

The Spa, Bridlington

The Spa Royal Hall and Theatre in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, was named the New Spa and Gardens when it was built, together with the adjoining sea wall, in 1896 by Whitaker Brothers of Horsforth, Leeds...

2006-2007 Leisure World, Bridlington

2008-2009 Bridlington Spa Royal Hall

The Spa, Bridlington

The Spa Royal Hall and Theatre in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, was named the New Spa and Gardens when it was built, together with the adjoining sea wall, in 1896 by Whitaker Brothers of Horsforth, Leeds...

2010 Hull City Hall

Hull City Hall

Hull City Hall is a Civic Building in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.The City Hall does not perform an administrative function for Hull's council, as this is based in the Guildhall....

2011 Hull Arena

Records

Most tournament wins 5 - Eric Bristow

Eric Bristow

Eric Bristow MBE is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.- Early career :...

. Bob Anderson

Bob Anderson (darts player)

Robert Charles "Bob" Anderson is a former world darts champion. He was ranked as world number one for over three years in the late 1980s. Nicknamed The Limestone Cowboy, he lives in Clevedon in Somerset.-Before Darts:Anderson threw his first darts maximum at the age of just five...

 and Martin Adams

Martin Adams

Martin Adams is an English international darts player. Nicknamed Wolfie or Mr BDO, he is BDO world ranked number one, three-time and reigning BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion...

 have both notched 3 wins (also both achieving 'hatricks' by winning in three consecutive years). Dave Whitcombe

Dave Whitcombe

Dave Whitcombe is an English professional darts player who won several major tournaments and reached two World Championship Finals. He had a long professional career between 1980 and 1992.-Biography:...

, John Lowe

John Lowe

John Lowe is an English darts player who was one of the best-known men in darts during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in the United Kingdom. Lowe is one of only five players to have won the World Championship 3 times.-Biography:Lowe won the World Championship title in three different decades -...

 and Raymond van Barneveld

Raymond van Barneveld

Raymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...

 have won the Masters twice each.

Youngest champion Michael van Gerwen

Michael van Gerwen

Michael van Gerwen is a Dutch professional darts player, nicknamed Mighty Mike. He is the youngest player in history to win a major televised tournament in either the BDO or the PDC, winning the 2006 Winmau World Masters at the age of 17...

 (2006) aged 17 years, 174 days eclipsed the record of Eric Bristow

Eric Bristow

Eric Bristow MBE is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.- Early career :...

Double Champion Leeanne Maddock (1992) Aged 17 years won both the youth title and women's title.

Joint World Championship & Masters Champions Only five players have ever won the World Masters and the World Professional Championship in the same season. Eric Bristow achieved the feat three times (1979 Masters 1980 World, 1983–84 and 1984–85). Bob Anderson (1987–88), Richie Burnett (1994–95), John Walton (2000–01) and Martin Adams (2009–10) were the others. There have been two other instances of players holding both championships at the same time (Phil Taylor 1990 and Raymond van Barneveld 2005) - but these were not during the same season which is considered to end with the World Championship.

There are 12 players who have won the Masters and World Professional during their careers - Bristow, Anderson, Walton and Burnett plus John Lowe, Phil Taylor, Dennis Priestley, Steve Beaton, Les Wallace, Andy Fordham, Raymond van Barneveld and Martin Adams.

Winners

Year	Men's World Masters	Women's World Masters	Boy's World Masters	Girl's World Masters
1974	Cliff Inglis Cliff Inglis Cliff "Ticker" Inglis was an English darts player from Plymouth, Devon. Inglis' prime years were in the mid-1970s.In 1974, Inglis won the inaugural Phonogram World Masters, defeating Harry Heenan 3-2 in the final...
1975	Alan Evans Alan Evans (darts player) David "Alan" Evans was a Welsh professional darts player who competed in the 1970s and 1980s.Evans was one of the early faces of television darts and had some tournament success in the 1970s...
1976	John Lowe John Lowe John Lowe is an English darts player who was one of the best-known men in darts during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in the United Kingdom. Lowe is one of only five players to have won the World Championship 3 times.-Biography:Lowe won the World Championship title in three different decades -...
1977	Eric Bristow Eric Bristow Eric Bristow MBE is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.- Early career :...
1978	Ronnie Davies Ronnie Davies Ronnie Davies is a Welsh former darts player.Davies won the 1978 Winmau World Masters, beating Keith Harvey, Colin Baker and Cliff Lazarenko before beating Tony Brown in the final. Davies then played in the 1979 BDO World Darts Championship, beating Tony Sontag in the first round before losing in...
1979	Eric Bristow Eric Bristow Eric Bristow MBE is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.- Early career :...
1980	John Lowe John Lowe John Lowe is an English darts player who was one of the best-known men in darts during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in the United Kingdom. Lowe is one of only five players to have won the World Championship 3 times.-Biography:Lowe won the World Championship title in three different decades -...
1981	Eric Bristow Eric Bristow Eric Bristow MBE is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.- Early career :...
1982	Dave Whitcombe Dave Whitcombe Dave Whitcombe is an English professional darts player who won several major tournaments and reached two World Championship Finals. He had a long professional career between 1980 and 1992.-Biography:...	Ann Marie Davies
1983	Eric Bristow Eric Bristow Eric Bristow MBE is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.- Early career :...	Sonja Ralphs
1984	Eric Bristow Eric Bristow Eric Bristow MBE is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.- Early career :...	Kathy Wones
1985	Dave Whitcombe Dave Whitcombe Dave Whitcombe is an English professional darts player who won several major tournaments and reached two World Championship Finals. He had a long professional career between 1980 and 1992.-Biography:...	Lilian Barnett
1986	Bob Anderson Bob Anderson (darts player) Robert Charles "Bob" Anderson is a former world darts champion. He was ranked as world number one for over three years in the late 1980s. Nicknamed The Limestone Cowboy, he lives in Clevedon in Somerset.-Before Darts:Anderson threw his first darts maximum at the age of just five...	Kathy Wones	Harith Lim (World Youth Masters)
1987	Bob Anderson Bob Anderson (darts player) Robert Charles "Bob" Anderson is a former world darts champion. He was ranked as world number one for over three years in the late 1980s. Nicknamed The Limestone Cowboy, he lives in Clevedon in Somerset.-Before Darts:Anderson threw his first darts maximum at the age of just five...	Ann Thomas	Sean Bell (World Youth Masters)
1988	Bob Anderson Bob Anderson (darts player) Robert Charles "Bob" Anderson is a former world darts champion. He was ranked as world number one for over three years in the late 1980s. Nicknamed The Limestone Cowboy, he lives in Clevedon in Somerset.-Before Darts:Anderson threw his first darts maximum at the age of just five...	Mandy Solomons	Sean Dowling Seán Dowling Seán Dowling is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club called O'Loughlin Gaels and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 2001 until 2004.-References:...  (World Youth Masters)
1989	Peter Evison Peter Evison Peter Evison is a darts player who has enjoyed a long career in the game. His greatest achievements were to win the 1989 Winmau World Masters and the 1996 World Matchplay. He has also come close to winning the World Championship on a number of occasions.Before appearing in a major tournament...	Mandy Solomons	Dennis Beisser (World Youth Masters)
1990	Phil Taylor	Rhian Speed	Craig Claney (World Youth Masters)
1991	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...	Sandy Reitan	Michael Barnard Michael Barnard (darts player) Michael Barnard is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events.A winner of the World Youth Masters in 1991, Barnard joined the PDC circuit in late 2003 taking part in UK Open regionals, reaching the semi finals of the Scottish Regional and the quarter finals of the...  (World Youth Masters)
1992	Dennis Priestley Dennis Priestley Dennis Priestley is an English professional darts player. He has won two world championships, and was the first player to win both the BDO and WDC world championships, in 1991 and 1994 respectively...	Leeanne Maddock	Leeanne Maddock (World Youth Masters)
1993	Steve Beaton Steve Beaton Steve Beaton is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation...	Mandy Solomons	Jamie Caven Jamie Caven Jamie Robert Caven is an English darts player. He uses the nickname Jabba for his matches and is sponsored by Unicorn....  (World Youth Masters)
1994	Richie Burnett Richie Burnett Richie Burnett is a Welsh darts player who was the 1995 Embassy World Darts Champion and currently plays in Professional Darts Corporation events. His nickname is The Prince of Wales.-BDO career:...	Deta Hedman Deta Hedman Deta Hedman is a Jamaican-born English darts player currently playing in British Darts Organisation events.Hedman reached the Women's World Masters final for the first time in 1990, losing to Rhian Speed. She won the Women's World Masters in 1994...	Steven de Brucker (World Youth Masters)
1995	Erik Clarys Erik Clarys Erik Clarys is a Belgian former darts player. He competed for the British Darts Organisation and the Professional Darts Corporation. He is nicknamed "The Sheriff". Clarys was known for his unorthodox way of scoring and finishing which made him popular with fans.-BDO career:Clarys caused a major...	Sharon Colclough	Martin Whatmough (World Youth Masters)
1996	Colin Monk Colin Monk Colin Monk is an English darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events and formerly played in British Darts Organisation events. He is turning full time professional in January 2010....	Sharon Douglas	Carsten Hoffmann (World Youth Masters)
1997	Graham Hunt Graham Hunt Graham Hunt is an Australian darts player who won the 1997 Winmau World Masters.Hunt played in the 1997 BDO World Darts Championship, losing in the first round to Mervyn King. He then produced an amazing run just months later in the Winmau World Masters...	Mandy Solomons	Aaron Turner (World Youth Masters)
1998	Les Wallace Les Wallace Les Wallace is a Scottish, former World Champion darts player. He currently lives in Midanbury Broadway, Southampton, England. He adopted the nickname McDanger - coming out for his matches dressed in a traditional kilt...	Karen Smith	Paul Higgins (World Youth Masters)
1999	Andy Fordham Andy Fordham Andy "The Viking" Fordham is an English darts player. He won the 2004 BDO World Darts Championship, beating Mervyn King in the final...	Francis Hoenselaar Francis Hoenselaar Francisca Hoenselaar is a professional darts player from the Netherlands. She is nicknamed The Dutch Crown....	Martin Brown	Janine Gough
2000	John Walton John Walton (darts player) John Michael Walton is an English darts player who is a former World Champion. He has adopted the nickname The Boy and uses the song Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex as his walk-on theme.-Darts career:...	Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver is an English professional darts player. She is the nine-time Women's World Professional Darts Champion of the British Darts Organisation. Her nickname is the 'Golden Girl' and has been sponsored by the leading Global Darts Brand Winmau for over 10 years...	Danny Ballard	Janine Gough
2001	Raymond van Barneveld Raymond van Barneveld Raymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...	Anne Kirk Anne Kirk Anne Kirk is a Scottish female darts player. She is nicknamed Captain Kirk.Kirk won the 2001 Women's World Masters, beating American Marylin Popp in the final...	Stephen Bunting Stephen Bunting Stephen Bunting is an English darts player who competes for the British Darts Organisation. His nickname is The Bullet. He is currently sponsored by GT Law Solicitors and A180 DARTS....	Anastasia Dobromyslova Anastasia Dobromyslova Anastasia Dobromyslova-Martin is a professional darts player. She is a former winner of the Women's World Professional Darts Champion of the British Darts Organisation, winning it in 2008...
2002	Mark Dudbridge Mark Dudbridge Mark Daniel Dudbridge is an English professional darts player.-Darts career:He started playing in his very early teens, citing Dennis Priestley as one of his heroes...	Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver is an English professional darts player. She is the nine-time Women's World Professional Darts Champion of the British Darts Organisation. Her nickname is the 'Golden Girl' and has been sponsored by the leading Global Darts Brand Winmau for over 10 years...	Sean McDonald	Lynsey McDonald
2003	Tony West Tony West Anthony Shaun West is an English professional darts player who competes in British Darts Organisation tournaments.-Wins:...	Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver is an English professional darts player. She is the nine-time Women's World Professional Darts Champion of the British Darts Organisation. Her nickname is the 'Golden Girl' and has been sponsored by the leading Global Darts Brand Winmau for over 10 years...	Kirk Shepherd Kirk Shepherd Kirk Shepherd is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events, and lives in Birmingham, England. He is the youngest player ever to reach a final of the World Professional Darts Championship...	Stevis Riggs
2004	Mervyn King	Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver is an English professional darts player. She is the nine-time Women's World Professional Darts Champion of the British Darts Organisation. Her nickname is the 'Golden Girl' and has been sponsored by the leading Global Darts Brand Winmau for over 10 years...	Oskar Lukasiak	Irene Adrianova
2005	Raymond van Barneveld Raymond van Barneveld Raymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...	Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver Trina Gulliver is an English professional darts player. She is the nine-time Women's World Professional Darts Champion of the British Darts Organisation. Her nickname is the 'Golden Girl' and has been sponsored by the leading Global Darts Brand Winmau for over 10 years...	Jonny Nijs	Laura Tye
2006	Michael van Gerwen Michael van Gerwen Michael van Gerwen is a Dutch professional darts player, nicknamed Mighty Mike. He is the youngest player in history to win a major televised tournament in either the BDO or the PDC, winning the 2006 Winmau World Masters at the age of 17...	Francis Hoenselaar Francis Hoenselaar Francisca Hoenselaar is a professional darts player from the Netherlands. She is nicknamed The Dutch Crown....	Maarten Pape	Kimberley Lewis
2007	Robert Thornton Robert Thornton (darts player) Robert Thornton is a Scottish darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events after his switch from the BDO in May 2008. He won the prestigious Winmau World Masters in November 2007.-BDO career:...	Karin Krappen Karin Krappen Karin Krappen is a Dutch female darts player. She is a former winner of the Women's World Darts Trophy and the Women's World Masters. She is nicknamed Dolphin....	Shaun Griffiths Shaun Griffiths Shaun Griffiths is an English darts player.Griffiths won consecutive Winmau World Youth Masters titles in 2007 and 2008. In 2010, he won the British Teenage Open, and reached the quarter-finals of the PDC Under-21 World Championship....	Kimberley Lewis
2008	Martin Adams Martin Adams Martin Adams is an English international darts player. Nicknamed Wolfie or Mr BDO, he is BDO world ranked number one, three-time and reigning BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion...	Francis Hoenselaar Francis Hoenselaar Francisca Hoenselaar is a professional darts player from the Netherlands. She is nicknamed The Dutch Crown....	Shaun Griffiths Shaun Griffiths Shaun Griffiths is an English darts player.Griffiths won consecutive Winmau World Youth Masters titles in 2007 and 2008. In 2010, he won the British Teenage Open, and reached the quarter-finals of the PDC Under-21 World Championship....	Linda Odén
2009	Martin Adams Martin Adams Martin Adams is an English international darts player. Nicknamed Wolfie or Mr BDO, he is BDO world ranked number one, three-time and reigning BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion...	Linda Ithurralde	Jamie Lewis	Zoe Jones Zoe Jones (darts player) Zoe Jones is an English women's professional darts player.Her first professional tournament victory came when she was 16 in the 2009 Girls WDF Europe Youth Cup where she beat Aliisa Koskivirta of Finland in the final...
2010 2010 World Masters (darts) The 2010 Winmau World Masters was the fourth major tournament on the BDO/WDF calendar for 2010. It took place from October 29–31 in the Hull City Hall, which hosted the event for the first time, taking over from the Bridlington Spa Royal Hall. It was broadcast by the BBC...	Martin Adams Martin Adams Martin Adams is an English international darts player. Nicknamed Wolfie or Mr BDO, he is BDO world ranked number one, three-time and reigning BDO World Champion and three-time World Masters champion...	Julie Gore Julie Gore Julie Gore is a Welsh female darts player.Gore made her World Championship in 2008, losing in the quarter finals to Trina Gulliver...	Reece Robinson Reece Robinson (darts player) Reece Robinson is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events.Robinson came to prominence in major darts at the 2010 UK Open along with fellow young players Joe Cullen, William O'Connor and Arron Monk. He reached the last 64 before losing to PDC World...	Zoe Jones Zoe Jones (darts player) Zoe Jones is an English women's professional darts player.Her first professional tournament victory came when she was 16 in the 2009 Girls WDF Europe Youth Cup where she beat Aliisa Koskivirta of Finland in the final...
2011 2011 World Masters (darts) The 2011 Winmau World Masters was a major televised tournament on the BDO/WDF calendar for 2011. It took place from September 1–4 in the Hull Arena, which hosted the event for the first time, taking over from the nearby Hull City Hall....	Scott Waites Scott Waites Scott Waites is an English professional darts player who plays in tournaments organised by the British Darts Organisation.-Darts career:...	Lisa Ashton Lisa Ashton Lisa Ashton is an English female darts player.Ashton reached the quarter finals of the 2007 Women's World Masters, beating 1996 finalist Heike Ernst of Germany in the last 16 before losing to Rilana Erades...	Jimmy Hendriks	Emily Davidson

Media coverage

The current UK broadcast rights are held by subscription channel ESPN

ESPN (UK)

ESPN is a sports television channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland owned by American sports broadcaster ESPN Inc. The channel launched on 3 August 2009...

 who take over from BBC

BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...

 from the 2011 World Masters

2011 World Masters (darts)

The 2011 Winmau World Masters was a major televised tournament on the BDO/WDF calendar for 2011. It took place from September 1–4 in the Hull Arena, which hosted the event for the first time, taking over from the nearby Hull City Hall....

. In addition ITV

ITV

ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...

, Sky Sports

Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...

 and occasionally Eurosport

Eurosport

Eurosport is a pan-European television sport network operated by French broadcaster TF1 Group. The network of channels are available in 59 countries, in 20 different languages providing viewers with European and international sporting events...

 have also broadcast the event.

• 1979-83 ITV
• 1984-85 not broadcast
• 1986-88 ITV
• 1992 Sky
• 1993-2000 Not Broadcast
• 2001-10 BBC
• 2011 ESPN

The 2011 tournament was also shown in the USA for the first time with ESPN3 broadcasting it.

External links

• World Darts Federation Official Homepage