JOHN PART admitted that the stageside presence of Phil Taylor inspired him to take glory in the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.

The Canadian won the third major title of his career when he overcame Raymond van Barneveld at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Sunday with a 6-3 triumph.

After slipping down the world rankings inside the past year, the triumph was a major boost for the 40-year-old.

The 2003 World Champion has lost in six other major finals, four times to Taylor and twice after knocking out the greatest player ever to throw a dart.

This time, van Barneveld knocked out The Power at the semi-final stage, and Part said he was determined to take advantage of Taylor's presence among the crowd.

"I've never had the experience before of being in a major final and looking down into the crowd to see Phil sat there looking up," he said.

"It was a strange feeling and I'm not quite sure what he was thinking.

"I'm sure he was enjoying the darts but it helped a little seeing him there, not because he was out but because of who he is and what he is."

Part had to play in two rounds of qualifiers at the start of the week before overcoming Ronnie Baxter, Roland Scholten, Terry Jenkins and Wes Newton to reach the final.

"This is the worst trip to Las Vegas I've ever had - I wasn't out of my room after 7pm on any day!" he revealed.

"I've taken this as seriously as I could, I've been up at 5.30am every morning and treated this as much like work as I ever have an event.

"It wasn't a vacation, and my dedication paid off so I guess there's a lesson there.

"I came here having to qualify and defend ranking points from a semi-final two years ago, so it seemed like an overwhelming task when I arrived.

"It felt like everything was against me, but somehow I've turned it around.

"I know I can throw some darts, and I always had my belief. I'm not always the consistent player I think I am of late - I used to be more consistent but I've jumped up the persistency stakes and that's what got me through the week."