THROWBACK VIDEO: Gary Anderson lifts the roof on Winter Gardens with nine-darter at 2018 World Matchplay

Later today at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool, the 2024 World Matchplay gets underway. This tournament is widely known as the second biggest (after the World Darts Championship) on the PDC calendar and has provided many great moments in the past. For Gary Anderson, he will be there for the 16th consecutive year.

In 2002, Phil Taylor was the first player to throw a nine darter live on television at the World Matchplay. Since then, several more players have managed to throw the perfect nine darts on the stage of the iconic Winter Gardens, think Gerwyn Price, Raymond van Barneveld, John Part and Wes Newton.

In 2018, Gary Anderson also managed to strike perfection in Blackpool. In the fourth leg of his quarterfinal contest with Joe Cullen, he opened things up with a 180. The Flying Scotsman was charging full steam ahead and with another 180 he brought himself down to 141. Via treble 20, treble 19 and double 12 the two time world champion caused the crowd to go completely wild. Cullen, too, could appreciate the nine-darter and warmly congratulated his opponent.

Anderson received a cheque for 45,000 pounds for his nine darter, earning a whopping 5,000 pounds per dart in that particular leg. By the way, it turned into a great match, which Anderson would eventually win 19-17. 'The Flying Scotsman' also eventually won the tournament that year. In the final he defeated Mensur Suljovic 21-19, never was more legs played in the final of a PDC major according to the leg format. For his victory, he received a cheque for 115,000 pounds. So with the 45,000 pounds added for the nine darter, it had become a very lucrative week for Anderson.

This year, Anderson is once again competing at the Winter Gardens for the World Matchplay. In the opening round, he will take on Michael Smith in an absolute cracker.