Phil Taylor excited about Leighton Bennett's World Championship prospects

The 16-time world champion saw off the 13-year-old prodigy 10-7 in . At the former home of English royalty, Taylor played kingmaker, backing Bennett to one day reach the summit of world darts. "I think Leighton's learning - I don't think he's the kind of person who's bothered about playing anybody. "He's a young lad who's confident in his ability, and so he should be," said Taylor to

The Power was speaking ahead of the exhibition match. He revealed that while he hadn't seen the Lincolnshire ace play too much, he had seen enough to know what he's capable of.
"I've seen bits of Leighton - I'm not a big dart watcher, I'm a player.
"But I have watched him. He's very good, very good.
"He's great. A breath of fresh air, in my opinion, and he's a nice kid as well. That means more to me than if he was the best dart player in the world."

But Bennett could yet do both. Taylor is backing the youngster to do well, though he offered a warning too. "A future world champion - it's entirely up to Leighton, really. "He's a young lad yet. He could be probably the youngest world champion ever. "It all depends on him, his dedication, his parents and if they keep backing him. "It's a long road ahead, and it's difficult."

"The PDC are not daft, they know what they're doing," said Taylor on Bennett's future.
"They'll bring him through the ranks - it's like boxing.
"When he's ready, they'll say 'right, you're ready now son. Now go in with the big boys'.
"And he will."
With the JDC Tour and the Development Tour offering young players chances, and the Pro Tour being available to Bennett from the age of 16 onwards, there is plenty in place to continue incubating a future world class talent.