1994 World Matchplay Explained

Tournament Name:1994 Proton Cars World Matchplay
Dates:1–8 August 1994
Venue:Winter Gardens
Location:Blackpool
Organisation:PDC
Format:Legs
Prize Fund:£42,800
Winners Share:£10,000
Winner: Larry Butler
Next:1995

The 1994 Proton Cars World Matchplay was the inaugural staging of the World Matchplay darts tournament, and was held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool between 1–8 August 1994.

This was the first World Matchplay tournament to be held at Winter Gardens, and was sponsored by Malaysian automaker Proton. The tournament was won by Larry Butler, who became the first, and so far only play from the United States of America to win a PDC televised title. He defeated the reigning WDC World Champion Dennis Priestley in the final; Priestley would go onto lose the next two World Matchplay finals in addition to this.

Prize money

The prize fund was £42,400.

Position (no. of players)Prize money
(Total: £42,400)
Winneralign=center (1)align=center £10,000
Runner-Upalign=center (1)align=center £6,000
Third placealign=center (1)align=center £3,250
Fourth placealign=center (1)align=center £2,750
Quarter-finalistsalign=center (4)align=center £1,500
Second roundalign=center (8)align=center £800
First roundalign=center (16)align=center £500

Seeds

  1. Dennis Priestley
  2. Peter Evison
  3. Bob Anderson
  4. Steve Brown
  5. Rod Harrington
  6. Sean Downs
  7. Cliff Lazarenko
  8. Kevin Spiolek