There will be an additional £50,000 in prize money available to BDO and WDF players in the space of three months from November 2007 to January 2008.

This follows recent announcements that prize money for the Winmau World Masters and the Lakeside World Professional – both staged and promoted by the British Darts Organisation and televised by BBC Sport - has been substantially increased.

The 2007 Winmau World Masters (November 16th to 18th) has increased prize money of £30,000 - doubling the 2006 figure and making it the richest two-day tournament on British terrestrial television, with a total prize fund of £60,000. 

The 2008 Lakeside World Professional (January 5th to 13th, 2008) has increased prize money by £20,000 to a record-breaking prize fund of £310,000. 

“This is great news for BDO and WDF darts, and reflects the wonderful relationships we enjoy with our respective sponsors”, says Olly Croft of the BDO. 

“Ian Flack, Sales & Marketing Director of Winmau, has introduced JJB Sports, the national sports retail chain, as associate sponsors for this year’s World Masters.  This has resulted in an immediate 100% increase in prize money, and a cheque of £25,000 for the 2007 Men’s World Masters Champion.

“Similarly, Bob Potter of Lakeside has once again confirmed his commitment to the Lakeside World Professional by increasing prize money by a further £20,000, with £85,000 going to the 2008 Men’s World Pro Champion.

“Since Lakeside became the main title sponsor in 2004, the winning cheque for the Men’s World Pro Champion has gone up by 70%, and now means that any player completing a double victory in the BDO’s two televised majors will win a total of £110,000 in the space of three months!

“The BDO greatly appreciates the ongoing support from both Lakeside and Winmau, and on behalf of our players and officials, I would like to thank Bob and Ian for their generous sponsorships”.

The 2007 Winmau World Masters, in association with JJB Sports, will be played at Leisure World, Bridlington from November 16th to 18th, and televised live by BBC Sport over the weekend of November 16th and 17th.

The 2008 Lakeside World Professional will be televised by BBC TV, SBS-6 and Eurosport for nine consecutive days from January 5th to 13th, 2008.