World Darts Championship: Top five highest three-dart averages

The PDC's showpiece event always delivers the goods at London's Alexandra Palace and we take a look at the five highest averages ever recorded in the competition as attentions get set to turn towards the 2025 World Darts Championship.

There's no doubt that the scoring power amongst the players currently operating on the PDC Tour is higher than ever before; and yes, that's even without the prolific 180 hitter, Phil 'The Power' Taylor.

Of course, we all know that astronomical three-dart averages aren't solely reliant on power scoring, with the crucial finishing statistics also hugely important to a player's match average - but there's no doubt that being able to pin the treble 20 bed goes a long way to securing a 100+ three-dart average.

The likes of Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries have all weighed in with their fair share of mammoth averages in recent times, whilst Phil Taylor - the sport's most dominant ever force - was the flagbearer for 100+ averages over a decade ago.

In fact, the 16-time champion of the world still holds four of the top 10 averages ever recorded in PDC World Darts Championship history, with MvG - chasing a fourth world crown in 2024 - holding an identical record ahead of the forthcoming event.

There have been a total of 195 three-figure averages on the world stage over the years - 40 of which have exceeded 105 - and we take a look at the five at the very top of the list.

World Darts Championship - Top 5 Highest Three-Dart Averages:

Average:	Player:	Year:
114.05	Michael van Gerwen	2017 (Semi-Final)
111.21	Phil Taylor	2002 (2nd Round)
110.94	Phil Taylor	2009 (Final)
109.34	Raymond van Barneveld	2017 (Semi-Final)
109.23	Michael van Gerwen	2016 (2nd Round)

No 1.
Michael van Gerwen 114.05 v Raymond van Barneveld
(2017 - Semi-Final)

Michael van Gerwen was backed by many to one day emulate Phil Taylor's surely untouchable record of 16 world titles, and when you look at some of the remarkable performances that he's dished up in recent years, you tend to wonder how his record currently only stands at three!

There's no doubt that the pick of his performances came back in 2017 in that sensational semi-final showdown with compatriot Raymond van Barneveld - a match that will long remain as one of, if not the, all-time greatest.

No.2
Phil Taylor 111.21 v Shayne Burgess
(2002 - Second Round)

The Power's highest ever three-dart average in a World Darts Championship showdown occurred back in 2002, as the helpless Shayne Burgess was put to the sword in scintillating fashion.

In truth, Burgess did well to win a set in the 1-6 hammering given that Taylor averaged 111.21 - a near faultless performance across seven sets.

Incredibly, the Stoke ace went on to win each of his next three matches without dropping a single set - whitewashing John Part, Dave Askew and Peter Manley on route to his then 10th world title.

No.3
Phil Taylor 110.94 v Raymond van Barneveld
(2009 - Final)

The Power turned on the switch once again in the 2009 final, notching up a sensational 110.94 average to blow away his fierce rival Raymond van Barneveld in the most comprehensive fashion imaginable.

There's no doubt that the two held professional respect for each other, but you could always sense that things were bubbling over privately, with the two possessing an unwavering desire to dominate the board every time they shared the stage.

Taylor produced an absolute darting masterclass just before his landmark 50th birthday to leave Barney in a heap, and ensure it was he who reigned supreme on the grandest stage.

No.4
Raymond van Barneveld 109.34 v Michael van Gerwen
(2017 - Semi-Final)

The only entry in the top 10 to feature a player who actually lost his match!

Yes, that's right, Raymond van Barneveld landed a near 110 average against Michael van Gerwen, and STILL lost the semi-final showdown!

In fact, he took just two of the eight sets against the Green Machine, who went on to lift the coveted title courtesy of a 7-3 final success over Gary Anderson - a match in which the Dutchman averaged just shy of 108 in, meaning he won the tournament after scoring a 100+ average in every round.

No.5
Michael van Gerwen 109.23 v 4-0 Darren Webster
(2016 - Second Round)

Michael van Gerwen's 109.23 average in his 4-0 demolition of Darren Webster is the Dutchman's second highest in World Darts Championship history, but unfortunately for him, his astronomical figure wasn't enough to spur him on to another world title.

MVG was imperious as he dispatched of Webster in the second round, but despite hitting a near 106 average in his showdown with Raymond van Barneveld in the very next round, he remarkably still came up short as Barney edged through in a deciding leg in an enthralling third-round encounter.