50/1 shot John "Boy" Walton rewrote the record books in 2001. The high price came from his failure to qualify for the previous year's event, however he came into the tournament as the Masters champion and in fine form.
In his quarter final victory over Marko Pusa he set the still standing record for the most consecutive legs at any World championship with 14 and he completed the job in the final defeating the holder Ted Hankey 6 sets to 2.
2001 also saw the first Ladies World Championship held with Trina Gulliver winning the first of many World titles.
Results:
First Round
John Walton 3 V 1 Richie Davies
Mervyn King 3 V 2 Chris Mason
Jez Porter 3 V 2 Davy Richardson
Marko Pusa 3 V 2 Colin Monk
Wayne Mardle 3 V 2 Steve Coote
Co Stompe 3 V 1 Andy Smith
Martin Adams 3 V 1 Erik Clarys
Ronnie Baxter 3 V 1 Mitchell Crooks
Steve Beaton 3 V 0 Bob Aldous
Raymond van Barneveld 3 V 1 Gary Robson
Peter Hinkley 3 V 1 Nick Gedney
Ted Hankey 3 V 0 Shaun Greatbatch
Matt Clark 3 V 0 Steve Alker
Kevin Painter 3 V 0 Andy Jenkins
Wayne Jones 3 V 0 Bob Taylor
Andy Fordham 3 V 0 Tony David
2nd Round
John Walton 3 V 0 Mervyn King
Marko Pusa 3 V 1 Jez Porter
Wayne Mardle 3 V 0 Co Stompe
Ronnie Baxter 3 V 1 Martin Adams
Raymond van Barneveld 3 V 2 Steve Beaton
Ted Hankey 3 V 0 Peter Hinkley
Kevin Painter 3 V 1 Matt Clark
Andy Fordham 3 V 0 Wayne Jones
Quarter Final
John Walton 5 V 0 Marko Pusa
Wayne Mardle 5 V 3 Ronnie Baxter
Ted Hankey 5 V 4 Raymond van Barneveld
Andy Fordham 5 V 2 Kevin Painter
Semi Final
John Walton 5 V 3 Wayne Mardle
Ted Hankey 5 V 2 Andy Fordham
Final
John Walton 6 V 2 Ted Hankey
Prize fund £189,000
Winners share £46,000
