PHIL TAYLOR will begin his challenge to win an 11th PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix against youngster Michael Smith after the draw for the £350,000 tournament, which will be held from October 8-14, was made.
Taylor defeated Brendan Dolan in last year's final to continue his unrivalled run of success in the tournament, which is unique for the double-start format which sees players have to both begin and end each leg with a double.
Taylor's first round opponent will be talented St Helens youngster Michael Smith, who is managed by world number four Gary Anderson and won his second senior ranking title at a Players Championship in Benidorm earlier this year.
World Champion Adrian Lewis drew Welshman Richie Burnett, who was a semi-finalist last year, while two-time World Grand Prix champion James Wade will face Colin Osborne in the first round.
European Championship winner Simon Whitlock faces Justin Pipe, number four seed Anderson drew Northern Irish ace Dolan, while Fleetwood's Wes Newton takes on Blackpool rival Ronnie Baxter.
Andy Hamilton will play Mark Webster and Terry Jenkins, the number eight seed, drew Mervyn King.
With the tournament featuring just eight seeded players, the draw has thrown up a host of other tasty ties, including 2004 World Grand Prix champion Colin Lloyd up against in-form Dutchman Michael van Gerwen.
Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld drew in-form Stoke ace Ian White, Dave Chsinall will play debutant Dean Winstanley and Kevin Painter faces another new face, the European Championship semi-finalist Kim Huybrechts.
Ireland's William O'Connor plays Vincent van der Voort, while Northern Irish left-hander Michael Mansell comes up against Paul Nicholson.
Three-time World Grand Prix quarter-finalist Andy Smith drew Steve Beaton, and Speedy Services UK Open champion Robert Thornton plays Mark Walsh.
The first round is split across Monday October 8 and Tuesday October 9, with the second round then played on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Citywest Hotel.
The quarter-finals will be held on the Friday night, with the semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Sunday, which will be preceded by the final of the Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay final between Daryl Gurney and Campbell Jackson.
The schedule of play will be announced in due course.
Tickets for the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix are still available by calling 0844 871 8807 (UK) or 0044 114 223 9817 (non-UK) or by clicking here to book online.
PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix Draw Bracket
Phil Taylor (1) v Michael Smith
Mark Walsh v Robert Thornton
Terry Jenkins (8) v Mervyn King
Dean Winstanley v Dave Chisnall
Simon Whitlock (5) v Justin Pipe
Kevin Painter v Kim Huybrechts
Gary Anderson (4) v Brendan Dolan
Vincent van der Voort v William O'Connor
Adrian Lewis (2) v Richie Burnett
Michael van Gerwen v Colin Lloyd
Andy Hamilton (7) v Mark Webster
Steve Beaton v Andy Smith
Wes Newton (6) v Ronnie Baxter
Raymond van Barneveld v Ian White
James Wade (3) v Colin Osborne
Michael Mansell v Paul Nicholson
PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix Qualifiers
Top 16 from PDC Order of Merit after European Championship
Phil Taylor (England)
Adrian Lewis (England)
James Wade (England)
Gary Anderson (Scotland)
Simon Whitlock (Australia)
Wes Newton (England)
Andy Hamilton (England)
Terry Jenkins (England)
Mark Webster (Wales)
Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands)
Justin Pipe (England)
Kevin Painter (England)
Dave Chisnall (England)
Ronnie Baxter (England)
Mark Walsh (England)
Paul Nicholson (Australia)
Current Top 14 Non-Qualified Players from ProTour Order of Merit
Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands)
Ian White (England)
Kim Huybrechts (Belgium)
Colin Lloyd (England)
Richie Burnett (Wales)
Mervyn King (England)
Andy Smith (England)
Brendan Dolan (Northern Ireland)
Robert Thornton (Scotland)
Vincent van der Voort (Netherlands)
Michael Smith (England)
Colin Osborne (England)
Dean Winstanley (England)
Steve Beaton (England)
Top Two Non-Qualified Players from Ireland/Northern Ireland from ProTour Order of Merit
Michael Mansell (Northern Ireland)
William O'Connor (Ireland)