PHIL TAYLOR will begin his quest for a tenth stanjames.com World Matchplay title against Robert Thornton.
Taylor has drawn the Scottish qualifier as he begins the defence of his World Matchplay title at Blackpool's Winter Gardens from July 19-26.
Taylor and Thornton will clash on Monday July 20, with the winner taking on either Kevin Painter or local favourite Wes Newton in the second round.
World number three Raymond van Barneveld, the Las Vegas Desert Classic runner-up on Sunday, has drawn fellow Dutchman Michael van Gerwen in the first round.
James Wade, who has appeared in the last three World Matchplay finals and took victory in 2007, begins his bid for another title against Jamie Caven.
2005 champion Colin Lloyd drew Wayne Jones, while three-time finalist Dennis Priestley takes on Denis Ovens.
Canadian John Part, the number four seed, will take on quick-fire Dutchman Vincent van der Voort, while Adrian Lewis meets Co Stompe.
Gary Anderson, who headed the 16 qualifiers from the Players Championship Order of Merit, will make his World Matchplay debut against Andy Hamilton.
Lowestoft's Peter Wright qualified for his World Matchplay debut with a run to the semi-finals of the Las Vegas Players Championship on Tuesday, and he drew number five seed Terry Jenkins.
Tickets for the stanjames.com World Matchplay are still on sale, by visiting the Winter Gardens Box Office or calling 0844 856 1111.
stanjames.com World Matchplay
Draw & Tournament Bracket
Phil Taylor (1) v Robert Thornton
Kevin Painter (16) v Wes Newton
Adrian Lewis (8) v Co Stompe
Colin Lloyd (9) v Wayne Jones
Mervyn King (5) v Mark Dudbridge
Colin Osborne (12) v Steve Beaton
John Part (4) v Vincent van der Voort
Wayne Mardle (13) v Tony Eccles
James Wade (2) v Jamie Caven
Andy Hamilton (15) v Gary Anderson
Ronnie Baxter (7) v Jelle Klaasen
Alan Tabern (10) v Andy Smith
Terry Jenkins (6) v Peter Wright
Dennis Priestley (11) v Denis Ovens
Raymond van Barneveld (3) v Michael van Gerwen
Mark Walsh (14) v Andy Jenkins
stanjames.com World Matchplay
Schedule of Play
First Round
Sunday July 19 (7pm start)
Adrian Lewis v Co Stompe
Colin Lloyd v Wayne Jones
Mervyn King v Mark Dudbridge
Monday July 20 (7pm start)
Kevin Painter v Wes Newton
Colin Osborne v Steve Beaton
Phil Taylor v Robert Thornton
Wayne Mardle v Tony Eccles
Tuesday July 21 (7pm start)
Andy Hamilton v Gary Anderson
John Part v Vincent van der Voort
James Wade v Jamie Caven
Ronnie Baxter v Jelle Klaasen
Wednesday July 22
Afternoon Session (1pm start)
Alan Tabern v Andy Smith
Terry Jenkins v Peter Wright
Dennis Priestley v Denis Ovens
Mark Walsh v Andy Jenkins
Evening Session (7pm start)
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen
Second Round
Lewis/Stompe v Lloyd/Jones
Taylor/Thornton v Painter/Newton
Thursday July 23
Afternoon Session (1pm start)
King/Dudbridge v Osborne/Beaton
Part/van der Voort v Mardle/Eccles
T Jenkins/Wright v Priestley/Ovens
Evening Session (7pm start)
Baxter/Klaasen v Tabern/Smith
van Barneveld/van Gerwen v Walsh/A Jenkins
Wade/Caven v Hamilton/Anderson
Friday July 24
Afternoon Session (1pm start)
Quarter-Finals
King/Dudbridge/Osborne/Beaton v Part/van der Voort/Mardle/Eccles
T Jenkins/Wright/Priestley/Ovens v van Barneveld/van Gerwen/Walsh/A Jenkins
Evening Session (7pm start)
Wade/Caven/Hamilton/Anderson v Baxter/Klaasen/Tabern/Smith
Taylor/Thornton/Painter/Newton v Lewis/Stompe/Lloyd/Jones
Saturday July 25 (7pm start)
Semi-Finals
Sunday July 26 (7pm start)
Final