WADE OPENS AGAINST BROWN IN DUBLIN AS TAYLOR DRAWS WRIGHT
JAMES WADE will open the defence of his World Grand Prix title on Monday October 3 in Dublin against Steve Brown, while Phil Taylor will open his bid for a tenth win in the double-start event against Peter Wright.
Wade picked up a second World Grand Prix victory last October, defeating Adrian Lewis in the final at the New Citywest Convention Centre.
The left-hander has drawn Bristol^s Steve Brown in the cut-throat best-of-three set first round in the World Grand Prix, which begins on Monday October 3.
World Champion Lewis will also be in action on the opening night when he faces Canada^s John Part, the two-time World Grand Prix finalist and three-time World Champion who hit a nine-darter in the World Matchplay in July.
Raymond van Barneveld faces Mervyn King in another heavyweight contest on the opening night, while number seven seed Wes Newton - the UK Open runner-up in June - meets 2004 champion Colin Lloyd.
Limerick^s William O^Connor will compete in front of his home fans when he meets Andy Smith, while Northern Ireland^s Brendan Dolan drew Wayne Jones.
Nine-time World Grand Prix winner Phil Taylor will begin his challenge on Tuesday October 4 against Lowestoft^s colourful Peter Wright, one of the 16 qualifiers through the Players Championship Order of Merit.
Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson has drawn Richie Burnett, the Welshman who won through to the World Grand Prix in dramatic fashion by winning Sunday^s Players Championship in Holland.
Number five seed Simon Whitlock drew two-time runner-up Terry Jenkins, Mark Webster plays Andy Hamilton and Ronnie Baxter meets Paul Nicholson - with the winner going on to face either Taylor or Wright in round two.
Dave Chisnall will make his World Grand Prix debut with a St Helens derby against local rival Alan Tabern, UK Open semi-finalist Denis Ovens drew Jamie Caven and Mark Walsh meets Mark Hylton.
Tickets for the World Grand Prix, which is held from October 3-9 at the New Citywest Convention Centre, are still by calling the Citywest Hotel Box Office on 00353 (0)1 401 0505.
2011 World Grand Prix
First Round Draw Bracket
Phil Taylor (1) v Peter Wright
Ronnie Baxter v Paul Nicholson
Mark Webster (8) v Andy Hamilton
Dave Chisnall v Alan Tabern
Simon Whitlock (5) v Terry Jenkins
Mark Hylton v Mark Walsh
Gary Anderson (4) v Richie Burnett
Jamie Caven v Denis Ovens
Adrian Lewis (2) v John Part
Brendan Dolan v Wayne Jones
Wes Newton (7) v Colin Lloyd
Justin Pipe v John Henderson
Raymond van Barneveld (6) v Mervyn King
William O^Connor v Andy Smith
James Wade (3) v Steve Brown
Vincent van der Voort v Kevin Painter