PHIL TAYLOR will begin his challenge to win a fourth successive title at the Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters against Australian sensation Corey Cadby as the PDC World Series of Darts event begins at The Star on Thursday.
Taylor, the legendary 16-time World Champion, has never been defeated in the three-year history of the Sydney Darts Masters to dominate the 16-player tournament.
However, the 56-year-old will come up against Australia's exciting new talent Cadby at The Star Event Centre in Thursday's first round, when the 21-year-old Tasmanian-born thrower makes his TV debut.
Cadby has won seven tournaments on the domestic DPA Australian Grand Prix circuit this year to secure his spot in the Sydney Darts Masters, and is relishing the chance to face the sport's most successful ever player.
"It's really exciting for me," said Cadby. "Phil's a legend and it will be great to play him, and I'll be giving it everything I've got. To be playing in this tournament's a huge opportunity for me and I can't wait."
Top Australian Simon Whitlock will face world number five Peter Wright after they were paired together when the draw was made on Wednesday night at The Star, while five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld comes up against Kyle Anderson.
World number 30 Anderson overcame van Barneveld 6-5 at the same stage when the pair met in Sydney two years ago and is hoping that history can repeat itself on Thursday after continuing his emergence and breaking into the world's top 32 since.
"It's great to be back in Australia and there's a job to be done now," said Anderson. "I'm in the top 32 now and there's a lot more to come from me. I'm playing well enough to make more strides in the game."
World Champion Gary Anderson begins his bid to win a fourth World Series of Darts title of 2016 when he plays David Platt, the current DPA Australian Grand Prix number one after winning six titles this year to sit a point ahead of Cadby in the rankings.
Dave Chisnall comes up against the current DPA number three, youngster Harley Kemp, while June's Shanghai Darts Masters finalist James Wade plays Rhys Mathewson.
"I'm enjoying the World Series and I'd love to win one of the tournaments," said Wade, who was also a finalist in Perth last year. "I haven't played well enough to win one yet but I'm enjoying it and I'm in a good place at the moment."
World number one Michael van Gerwen has drawn New Zealand number one Cody Harris, while 2015 Auckland Darts Masters winner Adrian Lewis comes up against another Kiwi, Wellington's two-time World Championship qualifier Rob Szabo.
The draw for the Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters was made by Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delaney and Omni Media CEO Lee Terry on Wednesday night at The Star.
The build-up to the tournament has also seen van Gerwen and van Barneveld joined by Whitlock and Kyle Anderson for a special challenge match with the Netherlands' Consul-General Willem Cosijn to celebrate 400 years since Dirk Hartog became the first European to land at western Australia in 1616.
Kyle Anderson and Wade also paid a visit to top NRL side Sydney Roosters, where they played darts with the squad, while competing players enjoyed an exclusive tour of Sydney Harbour on The Star's yacht.
The Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters will be held at The Star from August 18-20 and broadcast live on Fox Sports as well as through the PDC's series of international broadcast partners and at www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers. Coverage in the UK on ITV4 is delayed.
A limited number of tickets for the Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters are still available through www.ticketek.com.au.
2016 Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters
Tournament Draw Bracket
Gary Anderson (1) v David Platt
Phil Taylor (5) v Corey Cadby
Adrian Lewis (4) v Rob Szabo
Dave Chisnall (6) v Harley Kemp
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Cody Harris
Raymond van Barneveld (7) v Kyle Anderson
James Wade (3) v Rhys Mathewson
Peter Wright (8) v Simon Whitlock
Thursday August 18
First Round
James Wade v Rhys Mathewson
Dave Chisnall v Harley Kemp
Adrian Lewis v Rob Szabo
Phil Taylor v Corey Cadby
Gary Anderson v David Platt
Peter Wright v Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen v Cody Harris
Raymond van Barneveld v Kyle Anderson
Best of 11 legs
Friday August 19
Quarter-Finals
Order of play TBC
Best of 19 legs
Saturday August 20
Semi-Finals
Final
Best of 21 legs
Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters Odds
Evens Michael van Gerwen
4/1 Gary Anderson
9/2 Phil Taylor
12/1 Adrian Lewis
14/1 Peter Wright
20/1 Dave Chisnall, James Wade
28/1 Raymond van Barneveld
66/1 Kyle Anderson, Simon Whitlock
250/1 Corey Cadby
300/1 Cody Harris
400/1 Rob Szabo, David Platt
500/1 Harley Kemp, Rhys Mathewson
Each-Way 1/3 Odds, 1-2
First Round Match Odds
James Wade 1/50 v Rhys Mathewson 14/1
Dave Chisnall 1/50 v Harley Kemp 14/1
Adrian Lewis 1/50 v Rob Szabo 14/1
Phil Taylor 1/33 v Corey Cadby 10/1
Gary Anderson 1/66 v David Platt 16/1
Peter Wright 2/5 v Simon Whitlock 2/1
Michael van Gerwen 1/100 v Cody Harris 25/1
Raymond van Barneveld 8/13 v Kyle Anderson 5/4
Odds courtesy www.ladbrokes.com.au and correct at time of writing. Subject to fluctuation.