Dom Taylor has had his PDC Tour Card ripped up just hours before he was set to compete in the Players Championship Finals after failing a drugs test.
Taylor was ranked 47th in the Players Championship Order of Merit, earning him a spot at this year's finals.
He was handed a huge match against 2023 world champion Michael Smith in the opening round with the clash scheduled for Friday evening.
But Taylor has now been booted out of the tournament after failing a drugs test, the PDC have announced.
Dom Taylor has been suspended with immediate effect
PDC
The 26-year-old is said to have returned a positive sample for a banned substance.
He's also been suspended with 'immediate effect' and kicked off the tour.
The PDC statement read: "The Darts Regulation Authority has suspended Dominic Taylor following the failure of a drugs test.
"Taylor was tested at a recent Players Championship event and returned a positive sample for a banned substance.
"The Chairman of the DRA has confirmed that Taylor is suspended with immediate effect and will face a disciplinary hearing on a date to be confirmed.
"As a result, Taylor has been withdrawn from the Players Championship Finals and will be replaced in the draw by Nick Kenny, who will now play Michael Smith on Friday evening."
Taylor won a Challenge Tour title in 2023, which helped him earn a two-year PDC Tour Card starting in January this year.
He managed to climb up inside the top-64 after reaching the quarter-finals of Players Championship 24 where he lost to Gary Anderson.
Michael Smith will now face Nick Kenny
PA
Taylor also showed good form on the European Tour, which ultimately helped him qualify for the Players Championships Finals and next month's World Championships.
However, his suspension casts a shadow on whether Taylor will be allowed to compete.
The draw for the season-ending event takes place on Monday, where Luke Littler and co will discover their fate.
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Dom Taylor might not be able to compete at the World Darts Championship
PA
But the 17-year-old will have his sights set on making more history this weekend in the Players Championship Finals.
Littler, fresh of his stunning victory at the Grand Slam of Darts last week, gets his tournament underway against Rob Cross later this evening.
Ritchie Edhouse, who pulled off his own stunning victory at the European Championship earlier this month, will face the winner.
