FOUR of the world's top darts players will visit Johannesburg in September for the 2008 Emperors Palace South African Masters.
Phil Taylor, the 13-time World Champion who won last year's South African Masters, will head the stars, who will take on four leading South African players on Sunday 28 September.
Taylor will be joined by current World Champion John Part, world number three James Wade and Wayne 'Hawaii 501' Mardle, the world number six and one of the greatest entertainers in the sport.
The South African Masters, to be screened live on SuperSport as well as on Nuts TV in the UK, will see the four Professional Darts Corporation stars take on the four semi-finalists from the PDC South African Open, which is held at the Emperors Palace Casino on Saturday 27 September.
"This event was a huge success last September and we're excited to be returning to the Emperors Palace this year," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
"The weekend is all about promoting professional darts in South Africa and giving opportunities for players in the country, which the PDC South African Open does.
"The top players then get the chance to appear on stage, live on televised against the world's best players, and there is nothing as good as the experience that gives them.
"Wynand and Charles have become figureheads for South African darts with their success in the last two years and we could well unearth a new star this September."
The PDC South African Open was first held in 2006, and gives all South African darts players the chance to compete for a place in the World Darts Championship, held in London over Christmas and New Year.
Cape Town's Wynand Havenga, the 2006 winner, reached the last 16 on his appearance in the World Championship and was succeeded 12 months ago by Charles Losper.
"Wynand and Charles both did really well in the World Championship and it will have been great experience for them both," said Taylor.
"I can't wait to get to Johannesburg and see how much the standard has raised over the past year because I know players are so keen now to break through to the top level.
"It will be a great event."
Both Mardle and Part, Canada's most successful ever player with three World Championship titles to his name, will be making their debuts in the South African Masters in September, with Wade having lost in the semi-finals of last year's event.
Entry to the PDC South African Open will cost R150 and further information is available from Jon McGowan on 082-87-36-046.
Click here to download the 2008 South African Open Entry Form
Admission to watch Sunday's Emperors Palace South African Masters will cost R50 and tickets are available via the Computicket website.