GARY ANDERSON claimed the second major title of his career with a sensational 7-3 victory over Phil Taylor in the final of the Bullit World Darts Trophy.
Anderson picked up the International Darts League title in May and repeated his form on the Dutch stage to take the WDT title from Taylor.
The Scot inflicted only Taylor's fourth defeat in a televised final in 14 years with a storming display, averaging over 103 and checking out 54.5 percent of his chances at the double.
Taylor himself averaged 102 and his total of 17 maximums in the match saw him smash the tournament record for 180s with 44, eclipsing Raymond van Barneveld's previous best of 40.
However, he was punished by some classy finishing from Anderson, who took a 2-0 lead early on and never looked back.
Taylor missed three darts to take a 2-0 lead in the first set, and was punished as Anderson won three successive legs to send an early marker.
He then doubled his lead by winning the second set in a decider, with an 85 finish and an 11-darter giving Taylor a 2-1 lead before a double eight finish levelled matters and a 110 checkout on double 18 saw him extend the advantage.
Anderson took out 81 and then hit an 11-darter to lead 2-0 in the third set, only for Taylor to lift his game and step in to win the set 3-2 after his opponent missed chances for a 3-0 cushion in leg four.
Taylor was left shaking his head in disbelief after seeing the fourth set go against him 3-0, after missing the bullseye in three successive legs as Anderson pushed clear.
Taylor responded in kind in set five, with legs of 11, 12 and 13 darts seeing him hit back - with both players averaging over 105 at this stage.
Taylor also had chances to level at 3-3 in the next, with two misses at double ten in leg four allowing Anderson to level and then win the decider with a 103 checkout.
Anderson returned from the break with legs of 11 and 12 darts, including checkouts of 97 and 121. Taylor struck back with a 101 finish, but Anderson took the set 3-1 on double top to extend his lead to 5-2.
Taylor won the eighth set 3-1, but again allowed a 2-0 lead to slip in the ninth, superb finishes of 126 and 84 seeing Anderson level before he took out 80 with two double tops in the decider, with Taylor sat waiting on 40 for the set.
It was a killer blow, with a further 130 checkout from Anderson seeing him level in the next set before a double eight checkout put him to just one leg from victory.
Taylor took out a crucial 88 to stay in the game in leg four, but Anderson was too strong with the darts in the next to land an 81 finish for victory.
"That's the best win of my career," said an ecstatic Anderson. "I really enjoyed the match.
"I went up there expecting to get trollied - I've always said I wanted to play against Phil because if I'm scoring well I know can keep up with him. I showed that tonight but being up on stage with him was enough.
"When I practice I look at being on a three-dart finish after nine darts but my scoring has been dreadful at times this week. Tonight I had a few bad doubles but Phil had a few misses too."
He added: "I wasn't being cheeky going for those two double tops - I'd lost the set before missing two darts at double ten and I was snatching them.
"I find double six and double ten hard, so I thought if I can keep it inside double top then I'd get at least one dart at a double. The first one went in and was sat perfect for the second."
Taylor said: "Gary was brilliant and I've got no complaints. It's one of the most enjoyable finals I've ever played in.
"There were some great out shots from Gary that really hurt me, but I'm pleased with the way I played this week and I think I'm getting back close to my best."
Picture courtesy Henk Westerdaal - Darts International