PDC US Open Draw

THE DRAW for the PDC US Open has been made, and features a number of intriguing early ties at the Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut.

A total of 237 players will participate in the event, with 16 places in the final field coming from the Friday Night Madness Qualifier on 18 May.

They will joined leading PDC stars who will cross the Atlantic, as well as players from North America looking for glory on home soil.

Phil Taylor, the number one seed and winner of the World Series of Darts at the Mohegan Sun last May, will open his challenge against America's Neil McLaughlin.

World Champion Raymond van Barneveld will kick off against one of the Friday Night Madness Qualifiers, while number three seed Colin Lloyd faces a tricky opener against Jim Widmayer - one of last year's World Series qualifiers.

Top Americans Ray Carver and Brad Wethington face off in round one, with Isen Veljic taking on Colin Osborne, Tim O'Gorman meeting Dennis Priestley and Tim Grossman coming up against Gary Welding.

John Kuczynski will face Brian Blake in his opener, while 1994 World Matchplay champion Larry Butler is drawn on the same board as two-time World Champion John Part.

Paul Lim takes on the winner of Wes Newton and Michael Parks in round two of the event.

Peter Manley and Jelle Klaasen have been drawn to the same board, while Chris Mason and Michael van Gerwen could also clash in round four.

The format of the £126,000 event will be the best of five sets, best of three legs per set throughout.

Coverage will be on Challenge TV in the UK from 7.30pm-12.30am (BST) on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May.

Versus - formerly Outdoor Life Network in America - will show coverage of the tournament's first hour from 2.30pm (EST) on Saturday 19 May.

Tickets are still available for both days by visiting www.mohegansun.com.