DAVE CHISNALL kicked off the Betway Premier League season with a superb whitewash of Robert Thornton in Leeds on Thursday as reigning champion Gary Anderson missed the league's opening night through illness.

REIGNING Betway Premier League champion Gary Anderson will miss Thursday's opening night in Leeds after being ruled out through illness, with Michael Smith to play twice at the First Direct Arena.

PETER WRIGHT and Robert Thornton warmed up for the start of the Betway Premier League season at the First Direct Arena with a visit to Leeds Rhinos.

GARY ANDERSON will kick off his defence of the Betway Premier League title by locking horns with Adrian Lewis as the season begins at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Thursday.

DAVE CHISNALL has praised the inclusion of Michael Smith in the 2016 Betway Premier League - admitting that he tipped the youngster for the top almost a decade ago.

A FURTHER 11 players won places in the Coral UK Open on the second weekend of the Rileys Amateur Qualifiers.

A RECORD prize fund of £725,000 will be on offer in the 2016 Betway Premier League following the introduction of a £25,000 League Leader's Bonus.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is tipping Phil Taylor to return to winning ways on the big stage, following their thrilling clash at the Unibet Masters on Sunday.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN retained his Unibet Masters title with an imperious 11-6 defeat of Dave Chisnall at ArenaMK on Sunday night, after surviving seven missed darts against Phil Taylor on his way to glory.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN and Phil Taylor will clash in the semi-finals of the Unibet Masters after enjoying contrasting victories on Sunday afternoon, as James Wade and Dave Chisnall also reached the last four at ArenaMK.