Luke Humphries & Luke Littler learn opponents in first round of World Matchplay
Luke Humphries begins his defence of the Betfred World Matchplay crown with a booby-trap on the Golden Mile.
Cool Hand Luke became only the fourth player to rule at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool and win the PDC World Championship in the same year, after Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright, when he beat MVG 18-15 in a thrilling final 12 months ago. But world No.1 Humphries faces a major test in the first round against rising Dutch star Gian van Veen when the tournament opens on July 19.
And 18-year-old world champion Luke Littler would have an easier ride on the resort's famous Big One rollercoaster than his opening tie against Ryan Searle. Littler is the tournament favourite with the host sponsor.
With £200,000 to the winner, and the 2,000-plus venue sold out for every session since February, the World Matchplay is regarded as the biggest competition outside the annual fancy dress convention at Alexandra Palace.
Humphries, who won last month's US Darts Masters at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden, told Online Darts: 'I'm all about retaining titles - I didn't get to retain my world title but you want to go back-to-back and all eyes are on Blackpool.
'I feel like I'm one of those players who can turn it round if I'm playing badly, but to go into World Matchplay with a title under my belt in New York can only be good for my confidence. I've got to the stage now where I don't think too much into it - but I can't wait.'
Van Veen, up to No.22 in the order of merit and rising, was the PDC Youth world champion last year and reached the European Championship semi-finals two years ago.
The first round draw also includes a double-Dutch blockbuster between three-times champion Van Gerwen and 58-year-old legend Raymond van Barneveld.
Draw in Full
(1) Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
(16) Danny Noppert v Cameron Menzies
(8) Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman
(9) James Wade v Joe Cullen
(4) Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce
(13) Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse
(5) Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler
(12) Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker
(2) Luke Littler v Ryan Searle
(15) Peter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena
(7) Damon Heta v Andrew Gilding
(10) Rob Cross v Dirk van Duijvenbode
(3) Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
(14) Ross Smith v Josh Rock
(6) Chris Dobey v Ricardo Pietreczko
(11) Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney
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