Dom Taylor has won his first title since returning from a six-month doping ban, taking victory at the Coventry Open over the weekend.
The darts player beat Zac Prince 5-1 in the final, averaging 103, after recording successive ton-plus averages during an eight-match unbeaten run to the title.
Return after six-month suspension
Taylor was suspended by the Darts Regulation Authority after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis ahead of this year's World Darts Championship. He was also ordered to forfeit the £25,000 prize money from the tournament.
Because it was his second drugs offence, he received a mandatory six-month ban and was stripped of his PDC Tour Card. A disciplinary hearing found the offence took place before the championship.
Taylor had previously served a one-month ban in 2025 after failing a drugs test at the Players Championship Finals. That ban was reduced from two years after he agreed to a three-month substance abuse treatment programme.
"The standard is still there"
After lifting the trophy at the Coventry Open, Taylor delivered a five-word verdict: "The standard is still there."
In a Facebook post, he added: "Want to state of comfortable [sic] 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 those supporting him: "Also a huge thank you to everyone who continues to support my journey, my sponsors, family, friends and everyone following along. Your support means everything. On to the next one."
Apology after failed test
Following his failed test at the World Darts Championship, Taylor apologised for "blatant lying" after he was thrown out of the tournament.
In a social media post, he wrote: "The first thing I need to say is sorry! I am sorry to every single one of my family, friends, sponsors, management team and most of important of all, you guys, all my fans be it outside of darts or inside of darts, the game/sport I love the most."
He also apologised for lying in an interview after his win against Oskar [Lukasiak], adding: "I did complete and finish the course that I was required to do at the end of last/beginning of this year, along with everything else I was required to do and sanctions."
Taylor attributed his actions to trauma in his early teenage years, saying: "It is no excuse but all I can put it down to is the traumas I had in my early teen life. Finding my deceased nan in a bed at the age of 12, then within a year multiple other events happened including my brother having a heart attack and being non-responsive for 45 mins along with a very close friend dying of a brain tumour which all hit me very, very hard."
He added: "My parents being the great parents they are got me counselling and help at the time but in hindsight I should of had more than just that little bit."
