Dom Taylor is back in winning form. The 40-year-old darts player claimed the 2026 Coventry Open title on Sunday, marking his first since returning from a 6-month DRA suspension. Taylor, who is competing outside the PDC Tour, defeated Zac Prince 5-1 in the final with an average of 103.4.
Suspension and return
Taylor was suspended in early 2026 after testing positive for banned substances at the 2025/06 PDC World Darts Championship. The suspension stripped him of his Tour Card and pushed him out of the PDC’s Top 64. His return began in early July at the WDF Gibraltar Open, where he reached the quarter-finals before securing the Coventry Open title in late July.
Taylor’s road to the final was near-perfect. He won all five group stage matches without losing a leg, including victories over Adam Johnson, Ed Aston, and Ian McFarlane. A close 3-2 win over Jamie Hughes was the only hiccup before Taylor moved into the knockout rounds.
Path to the title
Taylor won the quarter-finals 4-1 against Liam Mulryne, with Jack Aldridge averaging 109.31 in the process. He then defeated Aldridge 4-1 in the semi-finals, averaging over 100. The final came at a similar level, as Taylor’s 103.4 average sealed a 5-1 victory over Prince.
Taylor shared his thoughts on Facebook after his win: 'Want to state how comfortable I felt playing today! Absolutely buzzing feeling that the standard is still there with great composure and zero jittering! On great form for the ADC Weekend next week!' He also thanked supporters, sponsors, and fans for their backing.
Future ahead
Taylor now shifts focus to the ADC Championship Tour weekend, which runs August 8 and 9. Competing in WDF and Modus events, he will continue to build toward the PDC Qualifying School in January 2027, which could offer a return to the Pro Tour. With a title already in his pocket, his recent run suggests a return to the top could be coming soon.