Venue Winter Gardens Country England Format Legs | Location Blackpool Organisation(s) PDC | |
Dates 27 July - 1 August 1998 | ||
The 1998 World Matchplay was a darts tournament held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. The tournament ran from 27 July through 1 August 1998, and was won by Rod Harrington. A classic final between Harrington and Ronnie Baxter was characterised with deadly finishing from Baxter, who led the final for most of the way, and Harrington's stubbornness in clinging on and refusing to accept defeat. Harrington trailed 14-17 and was only 1 leg from defeat. Baxter had a championship dart at double 20 in the 33rd leg but missed, and Harrington took it into a tiebreak at 17-17. Harrington then took out a 125 outshot (treble 15, 2 double 20s) in the 35th leg with Baxter waiting on 40, and then won the title with a 19-17 victory.
Prize money
The prize fund was £53,750.
Champion: £14,000 Runner-Up: £7,000 Semi-Finalists : £3,500 Quarter-Finalists : £2,000 2nd Round: £1,250 1st Round: £750