Champion darts player Phil Taylor has left New Zealand to return to England to be with his sick mother.
Taylor, a 16-time world champion, played in Porirua last night as part of the inaugural Australasian Darts King series but won't attend tonight's event at the Te Rauparaha Arena that will now be headlined by Adrian 'Jackpot' Lewis.
A statement on the Darts King website said the final two legs of the event in Sydney this weekend would be cancelled due to Taylor's forced absence and a champion would be crowned in Porirua tonight.
"Phil Taylor has had to return to the UK unexpectedly as he was informed last night his mother is gravely ill and obviously this must take priority. Phil flew back immediately to the UK on hearing this very sad and devastating news," the statement read.
"This decision has not been taken lightly and due to the nature of Mr Taylor's return to the UK it has been decided that Sydney will now not go ahead as a gesture of respect."
