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.

PICTURES from the 2016 Unibet Masters at ArenaMK in Milton Keynes.

ENTRIES have been confirmed for the year's first three Coral UK Open Qualifiers, with over 200 players set to compete in Wigan from February 5-7.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN began his defence of the Unibet Masters title with a 10-1 annihilation of Stephen Bunting at ArenaMK on Saturday, as World Champion Gary Anderson was dumped out by Vincent van der Voort.