10 Best Darts Players In The World Today

He is without a televised ranking title since July 2014 but Phil Taylor cannot be classed any lower than second place in this list.

Even though the 16-time world champion struggled during 2015 as players capitalised on his "fear-factor" weakening during the year, he remains at the top of the sport and tweaking his darts should provide him with more longevity in the game.

He needs to overcome the mental battle of beating Van Gerwen on television sooner rather than later because it has been six contests since he achieved that feat, but he has showed in the 2016 Premier League that he is far from finished.

The 55-year-old has slipped to third in the PDC Order of Merit but his ranking position matters little as long as he is producing the darts that he is capable of.

Some may see the emergence of Van Gerwen as a sign that Taylor will never win another world title but if anything, it will spur him on to prove his detractors wrong so don't be surprised if he lands a major title or two later this year.