The BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix holds a unique place in the darts calendar in that it is the only televised event which challenges players to start and finish each leg on a double or the bullseye.
That unusual format always helps to produce some unexpected results, and although Phil Taylor claimed 11 titles and Michael van Gerwen has lifted the trophy six times, there have been some shock outright winners.
Here, we look back at five surprise victors who belied the odds:
MIKE DE DECKER (2024)
The first Belgian to reach a World Grand Prix final held off a fightback from defending champion Luke Humphries to win the decider 6-4 in Leicester and claim his maiden major title.
De Decker, who was 36th in the PDC Order of Merit before his successful run at the Mattioli Arena, lived up to his ‘Real Deal’ nickname as he took home the winner’s cheque for £120,000.
The 28-year-old told Sky Sports: "It feels amazing. I am over the moon. I was nervous in patches and got nervous at 4-4, but I did it. I have been happy with my performance this week, but this tops it off because the way Luke has played this week has been incredible, so being the person that beats him this week and picking up the trophy, I have no words.”
JONNY CLAYTON (2021)
Clayton was another underdog to see off a title holder when he demolished fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price 5-1 in the final.
Nicknamed 'The Ferret' from his days as a rugby fly-half, Clayton had admittedly already caused two other upsets early on in 2021 to secure Masters and Premier League titles, but was still working as a plasterer for Carmarthenshire County Council.
“This might be the third, but it is the first one which counts,” he said. "It is what dreams are made of. We all play to win a big major, it is a ranked (event) and my first one."
DARYL GURNEY (2017)
Van Gerwen was dominating darts at this time, including winning five of eight renewals of this event between 2012 and 2019, but he lost in the opening round of a major ranking tournament for the first time since 2011 when beaten by John Henderson.
That opened things up for Northern Irishman Gurney to clinch the biggest success of his career in Dublin, where he knocked out Adrian Lewis, Joe Cullen, Robert Thornton and Henderson before edging out Simon Whitlock 5-4 in an epic decider.
Gurney told the PDC website: "I can't believe it, I really can't. It feels better than anything else I've ever felt in my life.”
ROBERT THORNTON (2015)
Thornton’s half of the draw opened up after Taylor and James Wade fell at the first hurdle and Gary Anderson was upset in the second round.
The Scot took full advantage by seeing off Gurney, Justin Pipe, Ian White and Mensur Suljovic before a stunning 5-4 triumph in the final versus Van Gerwen, who lost despite hitting 18 maximum 180s.
"It's unbelievable, absolutely awesome. If you're going to win a tournament, this is the way to do it," said Thornton. "Michael showed why he's the world number one at the moment, but I beat Phil in the UK Open final, and he was on top of the pile then, and I've beaten Michael tonight. This is so sweet, and it goes to show that you should never give in."
ALAN WARRINER (2001)
Taylor took home the trophy five times in the first six renewals of this event between 1998 and 2003, but his dominance was disturbed by a first-round loss to Kevin Painter. Warriner may have been the second seed, but such was Taylor’s monopoly on the major titles at this time, this still ranks as a shock result.
‘Wozza’ capitalised by knocking out Andy Jenkins (with an outstanding average of 106.45 for this format), Shayne Burgess, Dave Askew and Dennis Smith before thrashing Roland Scholten 8-2.
Taylor also suffered an early exit against Andy Callaby in 2004, when Colin Lloyd went on to beat Warriner in the final.
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