TAYLOR FACING BRIDGE TEST IN CORAL SYDNEY DARTS MASTERS
PHIL TAYLOR will open his bid to win a third successive Coral Sydney Darts Masters title against DPA Qualifier Clinton Bridge on Thursday, while Adrian Lewis takes on Simon Whitlock in a heavyweight clash at the Qantas Credit Union Arena.
Reigning champion Taylor has never been defeated in Australia since the PDC introduced the World Series of Darts in 2013, winning back-to-back titles in Sydney and retaining his Perth Darts Masters crown last weekend.
The 16-time World Champion's first round clash at the Qantas Credit Union in Sydney's Darling Harbour will see him come up against Melbourne-based bricklayer Clinton "Tic" Bridge.
The 31-year-old left-hander won through Tuesday's DPA Qualifier - defeating John Weber, a qualifier in 2014, 6-2 in the final - to secure his place in the Sydney Darts Masters for a second time, having caused a sensation by knocking out Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 two years ago.
Van Barneveld will also face a DPA Qualifier in the first round after drawing New Zealand's Cody Harris, who secured his televised debut when he came through Monday's knockouts in Warilla.
Wednesday's final DPA Qualifier Warren Parry - who knocked out Michael van Gerwen in Sydney last year - will face reigning World Champion and Premier League champion Gary Anderson, who has been a semi-finalist in all three PDC World Series of Darts events so far this year.
World number one van Gerwen has drawn Australian World Cup ace Paul Nicholson, while two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis takes on the sport's most successful Australian, Simon Whitlock, in a high-profile contest.
Perth Darts Masters runner-up James Wade plays DPNZ Qualifier Craig Caldwell, while Japan Darts Masters finalist Peter Wright has drawn current DPA Australian Grand Prix number one Loz Ryder and Stephen Bunting, last year's runner-up in Sydney, drew David Platt.
Following Thursday's first ruon, the tournament will continue on Friday with the quarter-finals before the semi-finals and final on Saturday see the tournament's champion crowned.
Coverage is live on Fox Sports in Australia, as well as worldwide through the PDC's series of broadcast partners and online at www.LIVEPDC.TV, with delayed coverage through ITV4 in the UK and RTL7 in the Netherlands.
The Coral Sydney Darts Masters will take place from August 20-22 at the Qantas Credit Union Arena. For tickets, visit ticketek.com.au or call 132 849.
Coral Sydney Darts Masters
First Round Draw & Tournament Bracket
Phil Taylor (1) v Clinton Bridge
Stephen Bunting (8) v David Platt
James Wade (5) v Craig Caldwell
Peter Wright (4) v Loz Ryder
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Paul Nicholson
Raymond van Barneveld (7) v Cody Harris
Adrian Lewis (6) v Simon Whitlock
Gary Anderson (3) v Warren Parry
Schedule of Play
Thursday August 20 (8pm)
Raymond van Barneveld v Cody Harris
Stephen Bunting v David Platt
James Wade v Craig Caldwell
Gary Anderson v Warren Parry
Peter Wright v Loz Ryder
Phil Taylor v Clinton Bridge
Adrian Lewis v Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen v Paul Nicholson
Coral Sydney Darts Masters
Coral Tournament Odds
7/4 Michael van Gerwen
5/2 Phil Taylor
5/1 Gary Anderson
10/1 James Wade
14/1 Adrian Lewis
16/1 Peter Wright
18/1 Raymond van Barneveld
28/1 Stephen Bunting
50/1 Simon Whitlock
250/1 Paul Nicholson
300/1 David Platt
400/1 Loz Ryder
400/1 Cody Harris
400/1 Warren Parry
500/1 Craig Caldwell
500/1 Clinton Bridge
2015 Coral Sydney Darts Masters
DPA Qualifier One
Last 32
Jonathan Silcock 3-2 Cody King
John Weber 3-0 Craig Prizeman
Aaron Petty 3-0 Paul Hill
Alex Evans 3-1 Barry Jouannet
Rob Szabo 3-0 Dave Delaney
Jamie Rundle 3-2 Mark Taafe
Warren Parry 3-0 Stefan Cubrilovic
Jerry Weyman 3-0 Daniel Sim
Dave Muller 3-0 Rob Modra
Ian Dargan 3-1 PJ Stafford
Greg Walsh 3-2 Robbie King
Jeremy Fagg 3-1 Mark Anderson
Dean McGladdery 3-0 Mick Lacey
Clinton Bridge 3-0 Brendan Cunney
Chris McFall 3-1 John Bunyard
Lucas Cameron 3-1 Kevin Luland
Last 16
John Weber 6-1 Jonathan Silcock
Aaron Petty 6-2 Alex Evans
Rob Szabo 6-0 Jamie Rundle
Warren Parry 6-1 Jerry Weyman
Dave Muller 6-5 Ian Dargan
Jeremy Fagg 6-2 Greg Walsh
Clinton Bridge 6-3 Dean McGladdery
Lucas Cameron 6-4 Chris McFall
Quarter-Finals
John Weber 6-0 Aaron Petty
Warren Parry 6-3 Rob Szabo
Dave Muller 6-5 Jeremy Fagg
Clinton Bridge 6-2 Lucas Cameron
Semi-Finals
John Weber 6-1 Warren Parry
Clinton Bridge 6-5 Dave Muller
Final
Clinton Bridge 6-2 John Weber