ADRIAN LEWIS will take on debutant Stuart Leach as he begins his defence of the Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King, on Friday night at the Trusts Arena.
Two-time World Champion took victory in the inaugural PDC World Series of Darts event in New Zealand last August, defeating Raymond van Barneveld 11-10 in a thrilling final.
The world number four has drawn Kiwi qualifier Leach in the first round of this year's event, with the Brisbane-based thrower having won through the fourth day of qualifying on Tuesday to secure his first appearance in a televised event.
"It was fantastic last year," said Lewis. "In any new country you go to, you want your name on the trophy straight away so to do that was a brilliant achievement.
"Hopefully my form's picking up and I'll make sure I'm right. I'll be fighting and hopefully I can win it again."
World Champion Gary Anderson, who won the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters last month, will take on another debutant on the big stage, Bernie Smith, while a third new face, Auckland's Ken Moir, has drawn James Wade.
World number one van Gerwen will meet Australia's Damon Heta, the Perth-based thrower who previously played in the 2014 Sydney Darts Masters before winning his place in Auckland by taking victory in the DPA Australian Singles championship last month.
Dave Chisnall will meet the tournament's other Australian qualifier, left-hander Clinton Bridge - who knocked out Raymond van Barneveld in one of two previous Sydney Darts Masters appearances.
Van Barneveld has a tough assignment in Auckland's Cody Harris, New Zealand's emerging star who faced the Dutchman in Sydney last August - losing 6-3 - before making his second televised appearance at the World Cup of Darts a fortnight ago.
"A couple of years ago in Sydney I lost to Tic Bridge and I lost again a year later - I learned a tough lesson not to underestimate opponents, and just play your A-game," said van Barneveld. "Cody's a class player and I would not underestimate him.
"I'm playing well myself and it's going to be a good game. The Premier League was a tough ride for me in the last couple of months but I'm refreshed and feeling confident."
Phil Taylor will play Wellington's Rob Szabo, with the pair having previously faced off at the 2014 World Championship, while three-time World Championship qualifier Warren Parry takes on world number five Peter Wright.
The tournament continues at the Trusts Arena with the quarter-finals on Saturday evening before culminating with the semi-finals and final on Sunday evening.
Tickets for the Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King, are available from www.eventfinda.co.nz or the Trusts Arena Box Office.
Coverage is live on Sky Sport in New Zealand and will also be broadcast around the world through the PDC's series of international broadcast partners. ITV4 coverage in the UK will be shown from 6.30pm BST.
Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King
First Round Draw & Tournament Bracket
Gary Anderson (1) v Bernie Smith
Peter Wright (6) v Warren Parry
Dave Chisnall (4) v Clinton Bridge
Raymond van Barneveld (8) v Cody Harris
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Damon Heta
James Wade (7) v Ken Moir
Phil Taylor (3) v Rob Szabo
Adrian Lewis (5) v Stuart Leach
Friday June 17 (7pm)
First Round
James Wade v Ken Moir
Adrian Lewis v Stuart Leach
Peter Wright v Warren Parry
Raymond van Barneveld v Cody Harris
Dave Chisnall v Clinton Bridge
Phil Taylor v Rob Szabo
Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta
Gary Anderson v Bernie Smith
Best of 11 legs
Saturday June 18 (7pm)
Quarter-Finals
Order of play TBC
Best of 19 legs
Sunday June 19 (7pm)
Semi-Finals
Final
Best of 21 legs