MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has described the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix as 'the most difficult tournament of the year' as he prepares to make his Dublin return.
The Dutch ace has only competed in the double-start World Grand Prix once before, when he lost to Kevin Painter in the 2009 event's first round.
The 23-year-old's superb form this year has seen him jump to 25th in the PDC Order of Merit but more importantly secure his place in all of the PDC's major tournaments, including next week's World Grand Prix.
Van Gerwen takes on Colin Lloyd on Tuesday night in the first round, and admits that the format where players have to both begin and end a leg with a double poses a great challenge.
"I think it is the most difficult tournament of the year," van Gerwen told the Modus Darts website. "The double-in, double-out rules mean that you must keep your concentration in every leg and every throw.
"It will be difficult but I hope to reach the quarter-finals again and then we will see how it goes from there.
"With a good run here and at the rest of the TV tournaments this year, there is a chance of me reaching the top 16, which is a big target of mine.
"I'm feeling very confident because I'm having a good year. My TV form is getting better. It's all to do with confidence.
"If your confidence is good then you play well. Mine is good and I'm playing well."
Lloyd won the 2004 World Grand Prix and has also been the runner-up in the double-start event since, and van Gerwen expects a tough game in the best-of-three set first round.
"He's a great player, who has won a lot more than I have but it doesn't matter who I play really," said the Dutch ace, pictured left at the 2009 World Grand Prix.
"There are so many good players. Everyone in the tournament is capable of winning it but you have to concentrate and play your best game from the first dart to the last, which is very hard.
"I need to play my own game and I know that, if I play well, I can beat Colin and then go on to do very well in this tournament."
The PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix will take place at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin from October 8-14 2012, starting at 7pm on each night. Tickets are still available in person from the Citywest Hotel Box Office.