Unibet Masters Kicks-off PDC 2018 Calendar

Darts is back. The PDC kicks off their 2018 Calendar this weekend with the Unibet Masters in Arean MK, Milton Keynes. After what was another fascinating World Championships in Ally Pally, the World’s top 16 ranked players will clash for the prize pool of £200,000 with £60,000 going to the winner. Red Dragon’s Peter “Snakebite” Wright and Gerwyn “Iceman” Price will both be in attendance and eager to kick-start their campaigns with strong wins. Number 2 seed Wright will close out Friday’s action as he faces Alan Norris in their First round match-up. Snakebite currently enjoys a 100% record against “Chuck” Norris and will be looking make it 6 out of 6 career wins against the Englishman. Gerwyn Price then plays current World Grand Prix Champion Daryl Gurney in the second match on Saturday evening. Both players have been brought in as Premier League debutants by Barry Hearn and the crowd will be in for some fireworks from the pair. World No.1 Michael van Gerwen is tipped as the favourite to regain his title for the fourth time on the bounce whilst newly crowned World Champion Rob Cross comes in as the bookies second favourite. ITV4 will be broadcasting the action live in the UK and the tournament will shown Worldwide via the PDC’s broadcast partners. Schedule of Play Friday January 26 (7pm) First Round Dave Chisnall v Raymond van Barneveld Mensur Suljovic v Michael Smith Rob Cross v Ian White Peter Wright v Alan Norris Saturday January 27 (7pm) First Round Simon Whitlock v James Wade Daryl Gurney v Gerwyn Price Gary Anderson v Benito van de Pas Michael van Gerwen v Kim Huybrechts Sunday January 28 Afternoon Session (12.45pm) Quarter-Finals Peter Wright/Alan Norris v Dave Chisnall/Raymond van Barneveld Mensur Suljovic/Michael Smith v Rob Cross/Ian White Daryl Gurney/Gerwyn Price v Gary Anderson/Benito van de Pas Michael van Gerwen/Kim Huybrechts v Simon Whitlock/James Wade Evening Session (7pm) Semi-Finals Final Format First Round - Best of 19 legs Quarter-Finals - Best of 19 legs Semi-Finals - Best of 21 legs Final - Best of 21 legs Prize Fund Winner £60,000 Runner-Up £25,000 Semi-Finalists £17,500 Quarter-Finalists £10,000 First Round Losers £5,000 Total £200,000 Full Tournament Details available from PDC: https://www.pdc.tv/node/7546