 In his 13 appearances at the championships, Whitcombe met Bristow 6 times and lost every time, including a quarter final in 1991 where Whitcombe lost 3–4 despite having been 3 sets and 2 legs up at one stage.However, in other Major championships like the British Matchplay and the World Masters, Whitcombe defeated Bristow in both the semi and finals.Whitcombe also defeated Phil Taylor in the first round of the 1988 British Professional, which was Taylor's first televised appearance, but lost in 2 finals, both to Jocky Wilson.