The first big tournament for a while, and it kicks off tomorrow evening. The final is on 30th July.
The qualification criteria for this is the top 16 in the PDC Order of Merit - who will be the seeds - and the top 16 Pro Tour who haven't already qualified.
With Phil Taylor seeded 8th and Barney 9th, they find themselves on collision course for a 2nd round meet up. The reward for winning that is a potential quarter final with MvG.
Gary Anderson looks to have a far more comfortable quarter of the draw, with Benito van de Pas, Mensur Suljovic and Jelle Klaasen the 3 other seeds.
First Round Schedule of Play
Saturday July 22 (7pm)
Michael Smith v Steve West
James Wade v Darren Webster
Gary Anderson v Christian Kist
Peter Wright v James Wilson
Sunday July 23
Afternoon session
Jelle Klaasen v Justin Pipe
Robert Thornton v Cristo Reyes
Benito van de Pas v Daryl Gurney
Mensur Suljovic v John Henderson
Evening Session (7.30pm)
Dave Chisnall v Mervyn King
Phil Taylor v Gerwyn Price
Raymond van Barneveld v Joe Cullen
Kim Huybrechts v Alan Norris
Monday July 24 (7pm)
Simon Whitlock v Kyle Anderson
Adrian Lewis v Steve Beaton
Michael van Gerwen v Stephen Bunting
Ian White v Rob Cross
Format
Best of 19 legs
* Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth additional leg is sudden-death. For example, should a First Round game (best of 19 legs) reach 12-12, then the 25th leg would be the final and deciding leg.
BetVictor Odds
Tournament Winner
4/6 Michael van Gerwen
9/2 Gary Anderson
11/2 Peter Wright
20/1 Phil Taylor
28/1 Dave Chisnall
33/1 Adrian Lewis, Raymond van Barneveld
50/1 Rob Cross, James Wade, Michael Smith, Mensur Suljovic
66/1 Daryl Gurney
100/1 Jelle Klaasen, Kim Huybrechts, Simon Whitlock
125/1 Benito van de Pas
150/1 Gerwyn Price, Ian White, Alan Norris, Stephen Bunting, Mervyn King, Joe Cullen
200/1 Cristo Reyes, Robert Thornton
250/1 Kyle Anderson
300/1 Darren Webster, Christian Kist, Steve Beaton
400/1 Steve West
500/1 Justin Pipe, James Wilson
1000/1 John Henderson
2017 World Matchplay
posted on 30/7/17
Usually taylor gives it to the crowd but he said he's keeping this one yesterday
posted on 30/7/17
£115k not bad for a weeks work!
posted on 30/7/17
It's not just that he done it, the way he's done it. Fkin incredible
posted on 30/7/17
matchplay record for taylor: 99 wins out of 107 games
posted on 30/7/17
Be nice if he finally got that deserved SPOTY
posted on 1/8/17
Horrible bloke,greatest ever dartsman. When the likes of Andy Fordham says he just don't like him that is proof enough. Condescending twa t.
posted on 3/8/17
Some of the stuff he has said recently about MVG is laughable.
Taylor was dominating for over 20 years and took all the plaudits for doing so.
Suddenly, there is finally a new number one, for the last couple of years and he has a go at him at every opportunity. His antics in the last World Matchplay Final in 2016 were disgraceful.
But there is no doubt in my mind Taylor is the greatest darts player ever. He's done it all and proved it again and again and again.
posted on 3/8/17
Why? MVG is a rude arrogant pr!ck & the mobile phone gate was just yet more proof
posted on 3/8/17
None of them are angels, neither do I want them to be angels. I am absolutely fine with them being arrogant and not liking each other.
The problem I have is with hypocrisy. Phil Taylor when at the top quite rightly said people who were below him (like Mason, Manley, Nicholson) should show him a little respect as he was worked damn hard to get there and stay there.
This is perfect except when someone like MVG took over and won all before him in the last 2 years, he has shown him no respect at all.
So basically it's one rule for him and another rule for the rest of the players. That's what I don't like.
posted on 3/8/17
Taylor's done far far worse during his career,check out some older stuff alleged to have taken place.
Had a great tournament but is so disingenuous and full of schit,opens his mouth talking bollox every time.
Only hope he's not sitting in the commentary box next year as it's bad enough with Mardle. Sky need to get Warriner and Mason on board,very good commentaries and both know what a rat Taylor is and has been.