MICHAEL VAN GERWEN will begin his defence of the William Hill US Darts Masters title against new William Hill North American Championship winner Jeff Smith in Las Vegas on Friday.
The PDC World Series of Darts event will see eight north American qualifiers taking on eight top stars over the two days at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
Reigning champion Van Gerwen, who claimed last year's inaugural title in Las Vegas by defeating Daryl Gurney in the final, will meet Smith in a tasty opening fixture.
Canada's Smith tasted victory in Thursday's North American Championship, scooping a $10,000 top prize and a place in the William Hill World Darts Championship, and will be on a high as he takes on the world number one.
Peter Wright, the top seed based on the World Series of Darts rankings, plays American qualifier Joseph Huffman, while World Champion Rob Cross takes on Canada's Ross Snook.
2017 runner-up Gurney has drawn North American Championship runner-up John Norman Jnr, with two-time World Champion Gary Anderson set to meet America's DJ Sayre.
Left-handers James Wade and Danny Lauby will face off, while Gerwyn Price drew top Canadian youngster Dawson Murschell and Michael Smith plays David Cameron.
Following Friday's first round, the tournament concludes on Saturday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
Tickets for the William Hill US Darts Masters are still available to purchase via mandalaybay.com or in person at the venue.
Worldwide television coverage includes broadcasts through BBC America online, ITV4 and through PDCTV-HD for subscribers outside of the UK, Ireland and Netherlands.
William Hill US Darts Masters
Draw Bracket
(1) Peter Wright v Joseph Huffman
Daryl Gurney v John Norman Jnr
(4) Rob Cross v Ross Snook
Michael Smith v David Cameron
(2) Gary Anderson v DJ Sayre
Gerwyn Price v Dawson Murschell
(3) Michael van Gerwen v Jeff Smith
James Wade v Danny Lauby
Friday July 6 (12pm local time)
First Round
Michael Smith v David Cameron
James Wade v Danny Lauby
Rob Cross v Ross Snook
Gerwyn Price v Dawson Murschell
Gary Anderson v DJ Sayre
Michael van Gerwen v Jeff Smith
Peter Wright v Joseph Huffman
Daryl Gurney v John Norman Jnr
All games best of 11 legs
Saturday July 7 (12pm local time)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
All games best of 15 legs