PHIL TAYLOR defeated Raymond van Barneveld 8-6 to win the Emperors Palace South African Masters in Johannesburg.
Taylor produced a marvellous display in an enthralling final against the Dutchman, with both players averaging over 100.
The 13-time World Champion had already left the Johannesburg crowd amazed with a stunning comeback in his semi-final win over Terry Jenkins, and again finished the stronger to take the title at Emperors Palace, winning four of the final five legs.
Van Barneveld played his part in a brilliant contest, hitting the first of six 180s with his opening darts and also landing a 136 finish early in the game on his way to a 4-2 lead.
A 100 checkout saw him move 5-4 up before Taylor - who had already had an 89 finish on the bullseye - mounted his fightback.
He punished missed darts at double top and double ten in the next three legs in taking a 7-5 advantage, leading for the first time in the game.
Van Barneveld hit back on double eight in the next after Taylor missed the bullseye for a 132 finish which would have earned him the win.
He had to wait little more time, though, before wrapping up the title on double top in the next leg to pick up the £5,000 first prize.
"It's been a great weekend," said Taylor, who had watched Cape Town's Charles Losper win the Emperors Palace PDC South African Open on Saturday.
"The final was second to none and a great standard, and so were the semis. The South African players put up a good showing and it's great to see them doing well.
"I'm looking forward to hopefully coming back next year. Emperors Palace have been great hosts and the sport is really growing in South Africa."
Taylor had earlier produced a miraculous comeback against Jenkins to book his place in the final, hitting back from 4-0 down to win 6-4.
Jenkins started superbly and included a 12-darter among two breaks of throw.
Taylor got off the mark with an 11-darter in leg five, and cut the gap to 4-2 after missed darts at double top and double ten from his opponent.
He then landed double top with Jenkins waiting on 32 to reduce the arrears to one leg, and an 86 finish on the bullseye levelled the game.
A superb 103 finish on double 12 saw Taylor edge in front, and another bull checkout - this time for 89 - saw him complete the win.
Van Barneveld edged out James Wade 6-5 in another thriller to book his place in the final.
The first seven legs of the game went with the throw as both scored heavily and landed their doubles when it mattered, before van Barneveld landed the first break with a 124 finish on the bullseye in leg eight to go 5-3 up.
Wade struck back immediately on double 18 after the Dutchman missed two darts for the match, and also stepped in to win leg ten in the same manner and send the contest into a decider.
Van Barneveld kicked off the final leg with a fourth 180 of the match, and he had enough breathing space to allow for further misses before sealing the win on double five.
The first round saw the four South African stars drawn against the PDC players, and home fans were left applauding the skills of the visiting players.
Only Charles Losper, the Emperors Palace PDC SA Open winner on Saturday, won a leg - during his loss to van Barneveld.
Cape Town's Losper also had a chance to level his game at 2-2, but his missed double 12 allowed van Barneveld in and was punished for another wasted chance at the double in the next leg as the Dutchman sealed victory.
Johannesburg's Paul Meyer landed two maximums in his contest with Jenkins, but was punished for his missed doubles in a 4-0 defeat, Jenkins taking out 90 in the first leg and a 13-darter during the win.
Taylor defeated Welsh-born Mike Ryder 4-0, with Wade overcoming PDC SA Open runner-up Lodewyk Marais by the same scoreline.
Emperors Palace South African Masters
Round One
Phil Taylor 4-0 Mike Ryder
Terry Jenkins 4-0 Paul Meyer
Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 Charles Losper
James Wade 4-0 Lodewyk Marais
Losers £1,000
Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor 6-4 Terry Jenkins
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 James Wade
Losers £1,500
Final
Phil Taylor 8-6 Raymond van Barneveld
Winner £5,000
Runner-Up £3,000