THE world's leading darts players are heading to Sydney for the final leg of the World Series of Darts treble-header, the Sydney Darts Masters which will be held from Thursday August 28-Saturday August 30 at the Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park.
Following victories for Michael van Gerwen in the Singapore Darts Masters and Phil Taylor in the TABtouch Perth Darts Masters, a 16-player field will compete across three days in the Sydney Darts Masters.
Reigning Lakeside Champion Stephen Bunting will make his World Series of Darts debut as he joins the seven players who competed in Singapore and Perth, with Taylor looking to defend the Sydney Darts Masters title he won 12 months ago.
Van Gerwen - who has won World Series of Darts events in Dubai and Singapore this year - will head their rivals alongside top Australian Simon Whitlock, Peter Wright, James Wade, Dave Chisnall and Raymond van Barneveld.
Australian World Cup of Darts star Paul Nicholson and New Zealand's Warren Parry are two of the eight Oceanic Qualifiers, with the field to be finalised on Tuesday.
The leading four players from the DPA Australian Grand Prix Order of Merit will qualify following the AGP double-header in Warilla, with Loz Ryder and Shane Tichowitsch secure in the top four and David Platt and Clinton Bridge looking to hold onto their places.
A further two players will come through qualifying events to be held on Monday and Tuesday to complete the field, with the tournament draw then set to take place on Wednesday.
Tickets are still available via Ticketek on 132 849 or visit www.ticketek.com.au
Coverage of the Sydney Darts Masters will be live in Australia through Fox Sports, as well as on Sky New Zealand, Fox Asia and on www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers. Coverage in the UK & Ireland is through Challenge (Sky channel 145) with broadcast times TBC.
EVENT INFORMATION
Sydney Darts Masters
Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park
Thursday August 28 - 8x First Round games
Friday August 29 - 4x Quarter-Finals
Saturday August 30 - Semi-Finals & Final
Tickets are still available via Ticketek on 132 849 or visit www.ticketek.com.au
PDC Stars
Michael van Gerwen - reigning World Champion & world number one
Phil Taylor - 16-time World Champion & Perth Darts Masters winner
Simon Whitlock - Australian number one & former European Champion
Peter Wright - 2014 World Championship finalist
James Wade - Seven-time major champion
Dave Chisnall - 2013 World Grand Prix finalist
Raymond van Barneveld - Five-time World Champion & Premier League champion
Stephen Bunting - Reigning Lakeside Champion
Oceanic Qualifiers
Paul Nicholson - Former Players Championship Finals winner & Australian representative
Warren Parry - New Zealand number one & three-time Oceanic Masters winner
Plus:
Top four from DPA Australian Grand Prix Order of Merit (at Tuesday night)
Two Qualifiers from knockout events being held on Monday & Tuesday