Phillips was born in Dolgellau, and made his first televised darts appearance at the 1988 British Professional Championship reaching the last 16.
At the 2008 BDO World Championship, Phillips beat Shaun Greatbatch in the last 32 but lost in the second round to reigning champion Martin Adams.
Two weeks later, he won seven matches to reach the semi-finals of the Winmau World Masters for the first time before losing to Stuart Kellett.
He qualified from his group despite losing to Adrian Lewis 5–4 he claimed victories over Dutchman Co Stompé and Vincent van der Voort both 5–2, To set up a last 16 clash with fellow countryman and former World Champion Mark Webster who he lost 10–8 having led 3–0 and 8–5.
After losing as an unseeded player to Wesley Harms in the first round of the World Championship in 2012, Phillips failed to qualify for Lakeside in either 2013 or 2014.
After reaching the semi-finals without dropping a set, Phillips survived a match dart in a deciding leg victory over Glen Durrant before beating Jamie Hughes 7–3 in the final.