THE 2007 PDC PRO TOUR will begin on Saturday with the UK Open North-East Regional Final at Tynemouth's Park Hotel.
The fourth of eight Regional Finals ahead of this year's UK Open televised finals, Saturday's event will be the first played with the increased £20,000 prize fund.
Over 200 players will be competing at the Park Hotel, including Raymond van Barneveld, who was crowned Ladbrokes.com World Darts Champion on Monday.
The Dutch star picked up his fifth World Championship win with a 7-6 defeat of Phil Taylor at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet in a sensational final-leg shoot-out.
Van Barneveld is looking forward to being back in action only five days after picking up the biggest prize in the sport and a £100,000 cheque.
"These tournaments are very important for us to qualify for the UK Open televised finals in June," said van Barneveld, who is also the defending UK Open champion following his victory last June.
"I have won two in this year's tournament already but it is important that I keep playing and don't rest on what I achieved at the World Championship."
Van Barneveld could face Chris Mason - who attracted headlines for his row with Phil Taylor at the World Championship - in his second game of the day.
Taylor is not competing in Newcastle, but former world number one Colin Lloyd is in action and could face the Dutchman should they both progress to the final.
Legendary figures John Lowe and Eric Bristow - whose achievement in winning five World Championships was matched by van Barneveld last week - are also playing in their bid to win a place back on the televised stage.
Newcastle's Graeme Stoddart heads a number of local stars taking part in the tournament, alongside Mark Stephenson, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the World Championship last month.
The UK Open's format allows non-PDC players to enter the event, which carries £5,000 for the winner, with north-east duo Robbie Parker meeting Kevin McDine in their opening match.
The tournament begins at midday at the Park Hotel, with free entry for spectators.
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