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Throb · Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:04 pm JOHN "DARTH MAPLE" PART WINS PDC WORLD TITLE

FROM BBC SPORT

John Part has become the fifth man to win a version of the world title more than twice after beating Kirk Shepherd in the PDC World Championship final.
The Canadian, who won the BDO title in 1994 and the PDC crown in 2003, looked set for a comfortable win after racing into a 4-0 lead at Alexandra Palace.

But qualifier Shepherd, playing in his debut world championship, hit back and made the score 5-2 with a 160 checkout.

Part spurned two match-winning chances before a double 10 sealed a 7-2 win.

"It is unbelievable, absolutely fantastic," said the 41-year-old Part. "I just came over and wanted to have a good performance.
I've had a good year in 2007 and I knew I was playing good enough to get far into the tournament but never imagined winning it.

"It is harder when you are older. I was worried as it was getting hot and the fingers were getting slippy.

"Kirk seemed to be getting confident so I'm happy I closed it out when I did because he could have been a lot of trouble."

Part, nicknamed "Darth Maple", joins Raymond van Barneveld, Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow and John Lowe in winning either version of the world championship more than twice.

Peter Parka · Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:13 am

Congrats to Part but full respect has got to be given to Kirk Shepherd, what an outstanding tournament! :D