Phil Taylor eases to win in opening Grand Slam of Darts match

Phil Taylor has recorded a 5-0 win over Martin Phillips in his opening match of the 2015 Grand Slam of Darts.

The 55-year-old averaged 102.95 and missed just two darts at a double as he eased to victory against the BDO representative.

PDC world champion Gary Anderson made light work of veteran Larry Butler, whitewashing the American by a 5-0 scoreline.

Raymond van Barneveld followed suit in thrashing Andy Boulton by the same score as he looks to win the title in Wolverhampton for a second time.

James Wade is the early leader in Group E after he eased to a 5-2 win against Michel van der Horst, with Mark Webster joining him on two points after a 5-3 triumph over Keegan Brown.

Johnny Clayton caused the first shock of the tournament after beating Terry Jenkins 5-3, finally sealing victory with his seventh match dart.

Robert Thornton appeared on course to lose his opening match after falling 2-0 down to Geert de Vos, but the Grand Prix champion recovered to edge the game in a deciding leg.

The tournament had opened with Robbie Green holding off a fightback from Rowby-John Rodriguez to earn a 5-3 win.

Results in full: Rowby-John Rodriguez 3-5 Robbie Green, Terry Jenkins 3-5 Johnny Clayton, Robert Thornton 5-4 Geert De Vos, James Wade 5-2 Michel van der Horst, Keegan Brown 3-5 Mark Webster, Gary Anderson 5-0 Larry Butler, Phil Taylor 5-0 Martin Phillips, Raymond van Barneveld 5-0 Andy Boulton