Phil Taylor starts post-retirement life with storming exhibition win

Darts legend Taylor has signed up to the Australia-based exhibition series, which features tournaments in Gold Coast, Townsville and Mackay. The Power kicked off the series in style with an excellent victory. He opened with a 6-1 defeat of Ray Smith, before whitewashing Rhys Mathewson 7-0. In that match, Taylor kicked off with an 11-darter, and finished with an average of just under 112. Simon Whitlock was the next man defeated, as Taylor prevailed 7-4. In the final, the 16-time world champion faced former PDC world finalist Andy Hamilton. The Hammer was in good form in Brisbane, coming from 6-3 down to beat Kyle Anderson 7-6 before overcoming Robbie King. The Power's fine form was too much for his fellow Stoke thrower to handle. A 7-0 win, in which Taylor was on a double after 12 darts at most in each leg, thrilled the Australian crowd. Just a couple of weeks on from losing to Rob Cross in the the 57-year-old showed he still has plenty left in the locker. But his appearances from now on will only be on the exhibition scene.