Phil Taylor has sent a message of support to Steve Beaton after the legend announced a big career move.
Beaton has been playing darts for three decades and lifted the BDO World Championship in 1996.
He made the switch to the PDC in 2001 and has picked up three titles.
At the 2024 PDC World Championship, the 60-year-old announced that this year would be his last as a professional.
It has now been confirmed that ‘The Bronzed Adonis’ will compete on the World Seniors Tour from next year, and the 16-time World Champion has welcomed him with open arms.
Phil Taylor leads Steve Beaton welcome
It seemed inevitable Beaton would make the switch and World Seniors ever-present Taylor took to X to reach out to the former World Number One.
He simply said: “Welcome to the Tour buddy.”
Unfortunately, we won’t see the two battle on the oche as Taylor himself announced that this year is his last on the World Seniors Circuit.
The 63-year-old has underwhelmed since joining the Seniors, but he’s hoping recent hip surgery will help him rediscover his lethal form.
Beaton’s fairytale goodbye looks unlikely
Last year saw Beaton return to the Winter Gardens after a two-year absence, and he has competed in 23 consecutive PDC World Championships.
It’s been a tough 12 months on the oche for the Coventry-born man and he’s 26 places outside of the World Championship places on the order of merit.
Beaton, however, has expressed his desire to hand his tour card back rather than lose it and he is on course to have that option still.
Whichever tournament is Beaton’s last as a professional will be poignant.
Few have been a greater ambassador to the sport and his presence will be missed by fans and players alike on the PDC circuit.