ROBERT THORNTON will begin his defence of the Unibet World Grand Prix title against Stephen Bunting at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin next month, as 11-time champion Phil Taylor prepares to face Steve West.
Scottish star Thornton claimed last year's title in the unique double-start tournament with a thrilling deciding-set win over Michael van Gerwen in the final in Dublin.
The world number seven has drawn former World Grand Prix semi-finalist Bunting for their opening clash at the Citywest Hotel, and having also hit a nine-dart finish in the 2014 tournament is relishing the chance to defend his title.
"It's a tough draw but I'm looking forward to it and I can't wait to get back to Dublin," said Thornton. "The last couple of years have given me memories which I can treasure for a lifetime.
"Winning the title last year and sharing a great game with James Wade two years ago when we both hit nine-darters are two of the proudest moments of my career so it's a special tournament for me."
Two-time winner van Gerwen, the world number one who has already won the UK Open and World Matchplay titles this year, will face former World Grand Prix semi-finalist Steve Beaton.
Phil Taylor, who has won the World Grand Prix a dominant 11 times since the tournament's inception in 1998, will play Steve West, who dramatically claimed qualification by reaching the final of Thursday's last Players Championship before the field was confirmed.
Two-time champion James Wade will come up against Terry Jenkins, who has reached the final in Dublin twice in the past decade and took on the left-hander in the 2007 decider.
World Champion Gary Anderson will open up against Jamie Caven, while world number three Adrian Lewis, the 2010 runner-up, will meet Jelle Klaasen in a tasty fixture.
Two other former finalists will also clash in the first round as Mervyn King plays Raymond van Barneveld, while 2013 runner-up Dave Chisnall drew debutant Robbie Green.
2011 World Grand Prix finalist Brendan Dolan, the Northern Irish ace who hit the first-ever double-start nine-darter in the event five years ago, has drawn world number five Peter Wright in the first round.
Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney will make his return from a broken finger on his throwing hand as he meets Austria's Mensur Suljovic, while Ireland's Mick McGowan makes his first World Grand Prix appearance since 2010 as he faces debutant James Wilson.
Two other debutants, Australia's Kyle Anderson and Spain's Cristo Reyes, will meet, while Joe Cullen will make his first World Grand Prix appearance against Simon Whitlock and Alan Norris drew number eight seed Michael Smith.
Ian White drew Kim Huybrechts in a clash of two top 16 players, while the ever-emerging duo of Gerwyn Price and Benito van de Pas also face off.
The £400,000 tournament will be held from October 2-8 at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ie or call the Citywest Hotel Box Office on 00353 (0)1 401 0505.
The draw was made in Cardiff ahead of the Unibet Champions League of Darts second day by former World Grand Prix champion Alan Warriner-Little.
2016 Unibet World Grand Prix Draw
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Steve Beaton
Mick McGowan v James Wilson
Michael Smith (8) v Alan Norris
Joe Cullen v Simon Whitlock
Peter Wright (5) v Brendan Dolan
Dave Chisnall v Robbie Green
Phil Taylor (4) v Steve West
Mensur Suljovic v Daryl Gurney
Gary Anderson (2) v Jamie Caven
Kyle Anderson v Cristo Reyes
Robert Thornton (7) v Stephen Bunting
Ian White v Kim Huybrechts
James Wade (6) v Terry Jenkins
Gerwyn Price v Benito van de Pas
Adrian Lewis (3) v Jelle Klaasen
Mervyn King v Raymond van Barneveld
Live on Sky Sports, October 2-8, Citywest Hotel, Dublin
The schedule of play will be confirmed on Monday September 26