PHIL TAYLOR has withdrawn from the US Darts Masters on medical advice after contracting sickness in Shanghai.
Taylor who arrived in China on Tuesday, began feeling unwell the following day but battled through to the quarter-finals where he was narrowly beaten by Michael van Gerwen.
Having been examined by a doctor, and with his final World Matchplay just a fortnight away, Taylor has made the difficult decision to return home rather than fly on to Las Vegas.
“I’m sorry to all my fans in America that I won’t be there next week, Taylor said. “I was really looking forward to playing in Las Vegas where I have had so many happy memories from the Desert Classic.
“I began to feel unwell on Wednesday morning and to be honest it didn’t get any better over the next couple of days and I was thinking about whether I could even play here in China. But I got through it and did my best against Michael on Friday.
“I’d seen a doctor in the afternoon and he said it wasn’t a good idea for me to get on a plane for such a long time but my last Blackpool is so important to me so I have reluctantly decided to travel home.
“I really want to be at my best for the Matchplay which has always been my favourite tournament and I couldn’t take any risks with more travelling and spending a week in the heat.”
Taylor’s place in the US Masters has been taken by seven-time PDC Premier Event champion James Wade.