The PDC debuts in a new country this weekend, as the inaugural Czech Darts Open gets under way in Prague this afternoon.

The PVA Expo hosts the ninth European Tour event of the season, with the likes of world number one Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Gerwyn Price, James Wade and Daryl Gurney all featuring in the 48-player field.

Two-time major winner Robert Thornton meets former BDO world champion Stephen Bunting in the pick of the 16 first-round ties, which take place across two sessions on Friday.

Thornton is one of 11 players in the tournament who still have a chance of sneaking into the field for the World Matchplay next month, via the ProTour Order of Merit.

The Czech Darts Open is the last ranking event before the cut-off for Blackpool, as the 32-player line up will be confirmed following Sunday’s final day of action in Prague.

Thornton, along with Jamie Hughes, Ted Evetts, Brendan Dolan, Justin Pipe, Rowby-John Rodriguez and Madars Razma, must win the tournament if they are to make it to the Winter Gardens.

The permutations are simpler for Keegan Brown, who faces Host Nation Qualifier Ondrej Plsek in round one. The former world youth champion can climb above Kyle Anderson and into a qualifying spot with a victory today.

Recent World Cup finalist Willie O’Connor requires a quarter-final to snatch a place, while Ron Meulenkamp and Steve West both need runs to the semi-finals.

Away from the race for the World Matchplay, this weekend will also see the European Tour debut of Australia’s Corey Cadby. He faces Wessel Nijman in round one.

Last weekend’s Players Championship 17 winner Krzysztof Ratajski takes on Ted Evetts, and three-time BDO world champion Glen Durrant opens against Daniel Larsson.

Chris Dobey, runner-up in the last European Tour event, the Danish Darts Open, plays Sebastian Steyer.

2019 PDC Czech Darts Open

June 28 – June 30, 2019

Tournament Draw Bracket (Second Round onwards)

Michael van Gerwen (1) v Ondrej Plsek/Keegan Brown

Darren Webster (16) v Danny Noppert/Stefan Bellmont

Mensur Suljovic (8) v William Borland/John Henderson

Ricky Evans (9) v Krzysztof Ratajski/Ted Evetts

Peter Wright (5) v Stephen Bunting/Robert Thornton

Joe Cullen (12) v Chris Dobey/Sebastian Steyer

Daryl Gurney (4) v Vaclav Shieferdecker/William O’Connor

Jonny Clayton (13) v Jermaine Wattimena/Kevin Garcia

Ian White (2) v Karel Sedlacek/Brendan Dolan

Nathan Aspinall (15) v Andrew Gilding/Rowby-John Rodriguez

Adrian Lewis (7) v Jamie Hughes/Devon Petersen

Steve Beaton (10) v Ron Meulenkamp/Jan Hlavacek

James Wade (6) v Mervyn King/Steve West

Michael Smith (11) v Wessel Nijman/Corey Cadby

Gerwyn Price (3) v Glen Durrant/Daniel Larsson

Simon Whitlock (14) v Madars Razma/Justin Pipe

Today’s Schedule of Play

Afternoon Session

Danny Noppert v Stefan Bellmont

Madars Razma v Justin Pipe

Jermaine Wattimena v Kevin Garcia

Karel Sedlacek v Brendan Dolan

Wessel Nijman v Corey Cadby

William Borland v John Henderson

Ondrej Plsek v Keegan Brown

Andrew Gilding v Rowby-John Rodriguez

Evening Session

Glen Durrant v Daniel Larsson

Mervyn King v Steve West

Vaclav Shieferdecker v William O’Connor

Krzysztof Ratajski v Ted Evetts

Chris Dobey v Sebastian Steyer

Ron Meulenkamp v Jan Hlavacek

Stephen Bunting v Robert Thornton

Jamie Hughes v Devon Petersen