Newly crowned world champion Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his Unibet Masters title against two-time world finalist Simon Whitlock, when the first major TV event on the 2017 PDC calendar gets underway at the Arena MK in Milton Keynes on Friday evening.
The fifth staging of the Unibet Masters will see the world’s top 16 players face off, with all the action being broadcast exclusively on ITV4 from January 27th- 29th. The prize money for this event totals £200,000, with £60,000 on offer to the winner.
Phil Taylor, who won the inaugural staging of this event back in 2013, will feature on the opening night of action in an enthralling tie against eleventh seed Michael Smith. Meanwhile, two-time world champion Gary Anderson takes on Benito van de Pas in a repeat of their pulsating last 16 clash at the recent William Hill World Championship.
Elsewhere, 2016 finalist Dave Chisnall locks horns with 2015 finalist and five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld in the opening match of the tournament, whilst the night concludes with a clash between third seed Peter Wright and Stoke star Ian White.
Michael van Gerwen begins his assault for a Unibet Masters hat-trick with a tough tussle against Simon Whitlock on Saturday. The Australian enjoyed a fine renaissance in the latter half of 2016 which saw him regain his place in the world’s top 16, but ‘The Green Machine’ will be going in search of his seventh consecutive major TV title.
Two-time world champion Adrian Lewis plays Premier League wildcard Kim Huybrechts, whilst 2014 winner James Wade takes on former World Grand Prix champion Robert Thornton. Elsewhere, ninth seed Jelle Klaasen takes on his stablemate and Masters debutant Mensur Suljovic in Saturday night’s opening match.
The four quarter-finals will take place on Sunday afternoon, before the tournament concludes later that evening with the semi-finals and final. The full tournament bracket and schedule of play can be viewed below!
Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
2017 Unibet Masters
Tournament Bracket & First Round Draw
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Simon Whitlock (16)
Mensur Suljovic (8) v Jelle Klaasen (9)
James Wade (5) v Robert Thornton (12)
Adrian Lewis (4) v Kim Huybrechts (13)
Gary Anderson (2) v Benito van de Pas (15)
Dave Chisnall (7) v Raymond van Barneveld (10)
Phil Taylor (6) v Michael Smith (11)
Peter Wright (3) v Ian White (14)
Schedule of Play
Friday January 27 (7pm)
First Round
Dave Chisnall (7) v Raymond van Barneveld (10)
Phil Taylor (6) v Michael Smith (11)
Gary Anderson (2) v Benito van de Pas (15)
Peter Wright (3) v Ian White (14)
Saturday January 28 (7pm)
First Round
Mensur Suljovic (8) v Jelle Klaasen (9)
James Wade (5) v Robert Thornton (12)
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Simon Whitlock (16)
Adrian Lewis (4) v Kim Huybrechts (13)
Sunday January 29
Afternoon Session (12.45pm)
Quarter-Finals
Taylor (6)/Smith (11) v Wright (3)/White (14)
Anderson (2)/Van de Pas (15) v Chisnall (7)/Van Barneveld (10)
Wade (5)/Thornton (12) v Lewis (4)/Huybrechts (13)
Van Gerwen (1)/Whitlock (16) v Suljovic (8)/Klaasen (9)
Evening Session (7pm)
Semi-Finals
Final
Format
First Round – Best of 19 legs
Quarter-Finals – Best of 19 legs
Semi-Finals – Best of 21 legs
Final – Best of 21 legs
Prize Fund
Winner £60,000
Runner-Up £25,000
Semi-Finalists £17,500
Quarter-Finalists £10,000
First Round £5,000
Total £200,000
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