TheOche.com

by Phill Catterick:

PHIL TAYLOR will be hoping to follow up his success at the UK Open in Bolton with another tournament win in Las Vegas next week for the annual Desert Classic.

`The Power` is the defending champion after defeating James Wade in last year’s final, and he has to be the firm favourite after winning every major competition on the calendar this season except for the Premier League, which James Wade inherited after defeating Mervyn King in the final at Wembley Arena in May.

The venue has become famous over the years due to its contrasting atmosphere to British arenas, as the American audience tends to be much quieter as players take to the oche, but the quality of play remains top class, and the top 16 in the world (aswell as qualifiers) will contest for the trophy, and prize money up to £200,000.

The competition lasts just under a week and includes the likes of Raymond Van Barneveld, Mervyn King, John Part and Terry Jenkins, the latter losing in the final of 2007 to the aforementioned Dutchman.

The 1st July is the date when the action gets underway, and below are the players who will be contesting: (Note: Not all players have been confirmed-qualifiers take place later in June).

PDC Top 16 Qualifiers
Phil Taylor
James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld
John Part
Terry Jenkins
Mervyn King
Adrian Lewis
Alan Tabern
Dennis Priestley
Ronnie Baxter
Colin Lloyd
Wayne Mardle
Colin Osborne
Kevin Painter
Andy Hamilton
Mark Walsh

North American Order of Merit Qualifiers
Darin Young
Scott Burnett
Chris White
Bill Davis

Of course, many places still have to be decided to make up the 32 player list. Qualifiers will take place in the coming days with Jelle Klaasen, Vincent Van Der Voort, Co Stompe, Peter Wright, Simon Whitlock and Jamie Caven having already won their respective matches to take a place in the tournament.

For many, this will be viewed as a `warm-up` for the World Matchplay which takes place in Blackpool in mid to late July, and players in the top 16 will be looking to impress in both tournaments as strong shows may give them a chance of clinching a Premier League spot for the 2010 campaign.

The Desert Classic is one of the more competitive tournaments on the calendar and in the past very few surprises have been recorded with Phil Taylor, Raymond Van Barneveld, John Part and Peter Manley all having won the competition.

Infact, these are the ONLY players to have won the tournament as the Classic was only included on the PDC Calendar in 2002, with Taylor beating former World number three Ronnie Baxter in the first ever final.

I myself believe Taylor will add to his ever growing list of achievements. His determination is as strong as ever, and he’ made this venue his own having won the Classic four times already, and he’ll be out to make it a fantastic five.

Of course, it won’t be easy. James Wade, Mervyn King and even Mark Walsh are in good form right now and they’ll be out to prove that Phil can be beaten when the pressure’s on.

Despite the atmosphere being far from electric at times at the Mandalay Bay Resort, the tension and the level expectancy will be through the roof, and no doubt the fireworks will be going as the competition progresses.

Las Vegas is a venue known for its bright lights, its casinos and its celebrity appeal, and no doubt the lights will be shining just that little bit brighter as `The Power` and co pull up in Nevada.