Taylor dropped just one set in the entire tournament

The 45-year-old from Stoke, a 12-time world champion, dominated from the start at the Citywest Hotel.

He established an early lead thanks to a 71 checkout before reeling off six successive legs, including a 13-darter and a 120 checkout.

Taylor moved 5-0 ahead before world number one Lloyd briefly stopped the rot by winning the sixth set.

That was the first set Taylor had dropped all tournament, but he recovered quickly to close out an emphatic victory.

"I think the first set dictated the match," said Taylor. "It was vital for me to get the fourth leg, and I took the next one with the darts.

I expected a lot more of myself... Phil played solid darts and ended up taking my title Colin Lloyd

"I saw his head drop a little bit and I just thought to myself, 'keep pushing him'. I didn't feel any pressure until I was 5-1 up. All of a sudden I took my foot off the gas a little bit, missed a double and it seemed to revitalise him.

"But I could tell that he was under pressure and that he wasn't enjoying the game. It's my instinct to keep pushing."

Lloyd described his performance as "not good enough".

"I expected a lot more of myself. Phil played solid darts and ended up taking my title," he said.

"I'm very, very disappointed. I've not played well all week but, when you get to the final, you normally go into auto-drive and you can do whatever.