DARYL GURNEY will begin his defence of the Unibet World Grand Prix title against John Henderson in Sunday's opening night of the double-start tournament.
The Unibet World Grand Prix will take place at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin from September 30-October 6 and will be shown live on Sky Sports with tickets available at www.ticketmaster.ie.
The £400,000 event will begin with a clash between World Matchplay semi-finalist Jeffrey de Zwaan and Kim Huybrechts, with reigning champion Gurney beginning the defence of his title against Henderson later on the opening night.
Scottish ace Henderson knocked out world number one Michael van Gerwen to begin his run to the semi-finals in Dublin last year, where he eventually lost out 4-1 to Gurney and the Northern Irishman is aware of the tough task he faces.
"I can't believe it's been a year since I won it," Gurney admitted.
"It was such a special night and a memory I will never forget but now I am focused only on the here and now, and that means defending my title.
"I know it will be a tough test against John, of course he beat Michael [van Gerwen] here in the first round last year but he also beat Raymond van Barneveld so he will be a big threat. Hopefully I will play my best game and get off to a good start."
Last year's runner-up Whitlock is hoping to go one better at this year's event, and the iconic Australian is in positive mood heading into his round one tie with James Wilson.
"Last year was a good tournament for me - it was a case of 'close but no cigar' as they say," said Whitlock.
"I actually like the double-start and double-finish, it's one of my favourite tournaments.
"I really enjoyed the week in Dublin last year, it was a dream to get to a major final again after a few years without making one."
The opening night will also see three-time champion Van Gerwen face rising Irish talent Steve Lennon, who is making his World Grand Prix debut, and the Dutchman is keen to put a run of TV disappointments behind him.
“I’ve always played my best stuff at this time of year,” said the world number one.
“This year it is important that I do even better because I’m not happy with some of my results so far, especially in the TV events.
“I’m still doing really well and winning more than anybody else but I want to dominate. I do not think it is possible to win every tournament these days but I go into every tournament seeing anything less than winning as a failure."
Two-time World Champion Gary Anderson is targeting a fifth televised title of the year in Dublin and begins his campaign against Welshman Jonny Clayton.
Anderson was a finalist in the 2016 tournament where he lost out to Van Gerwen, but was absent from the 2017 event due to the birth of his second child and is now keen to make up for lost time.
"I missed it last year and it will be great to get back there," said Anderson, who has already won the UK Open, World Matchplay, Champions League of Darts and US Darts Masters in 2018.
"I'd love to win it and I always enjoy playing in Ireland.
"It will be a very hard game against Jonny Clayton. He's probably the best Welsh player at the moment, he's a nice bloke and class on the board."
World Champion Rob Cross will begin his quest for the £100,000 star prize against Steve Beaton on Monday night, which will also see arguably the pick of the first round ties take place as world number nine Michael Smith faces former finalist Adrian Lewis.
Two-time winner James Wade will play sixth seed Mensur Suljovic in another tasty tie, while world number two Peter Wright will take on Steve West and former finalist Mervyn King will meet rapid-firing Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena.
The second round of the double-start tournament will be split across Tuesday and Wednesday, with the quarter-finals on Thursday night and semi-finals on Friday night.
The final, on Saturday October 6, will be preceded by the Tom Kirby Memorial between Kevin Burness and Mick McGowan, as they battle for the top domestic honour and a place in the William Hill World Darts Championship.
The Unibet World Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and worldwide through the PDC's series of international broadcast partners, as well as at PDCTV-HD for Rest of the World Subscribers.
Tickets for the Unibet World Grand Prix are still available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ie or by calling 0818 903001 (Ireland), 0333 321 9996 (NI & UK) or 00 353 818 903001 (International Customers).
2018 Unibet World Grand Prix
Draw Bracket
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Steve Lennon
Darren Webster v Stephen Bunting
Dave Chisnall (8) v Max Hopp
Ricky Evans v Raymond van Barneveld
Daryl Gurney (5) v John Henderson
Ron Meulenkamp v Joe Cullen
Gary Anderson (4) v Jonny Clayton
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Kim Huybrechts
Peter Wright (2) v Steve West
Jermaine Wattimena v Mervyn King
Simon Whitlock (7) v James Wilson
Michael Smith v Adrian Lewis
Mensur Suljovic (6) v James Wade
Josh Payne v Ian White
Rob Cross (3) v Steve Beaton
Danny Noppert v Gerwyn Price
Schedule of Play
Sunday September 30 (7pm)
First Round
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Kim Huybrechts
Ron Meulenkamp v Joe Cullen
Darren Webster v Stephen Bunting
Ricky Evans v Raymond van Barneveld
Dave Chisnall v Max Hopp
Daryl Gurney v John Henderson
Michael van Gerwen v Steve Lennon
Gary Anderson v Jonny Clayton
Monday October 1 (7pm)
First Round
Jermaine Wattimena v Mervyn King
Josh Payne v Ian White
Danny Noppert v Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright v Steve West
Rob Cross v Steve Beaton
Mensur Suljovic v James Wade
Simon Whitlock v James Wilson
Michael Smith v Adrian Lewis
Tuesday October 2 (7pm)
Second Round
Chisnall/Hopp v Evans/Van Barneveld
Anderson/Clayton v De Zwaan/Huybrechts
Gurney/Henderson v Meulenkamp/Cullen
Van Gerwen/Lennon v Webster/Bunting
Wednesday October 3 (7pm)
Second Round
Suljovic/Wade v Payne/White
Cross/Beaton v Noppert/Price
Wright/West v Wattimena/King
Whitlock/Wilson v Smith/Lewis
Thursday October 4 (7pm)
Quarter-Finals
Friday October 5 (7pm)
Semi-Finals
Saturday October 6 (8pm)
Final
Preceded by Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay final (Approx 7.10pm)
Kevin Burness v Mick McGowan
Format
First Round - Best of three sets
Second Round - Best of five sets
Quarter-Finals - Best of five sets
Semi-Finals - Best of seven sets
Final - Best of nine sets
All sets are the best of five legs, and all legs must begin and end with a double.