Gerwyn Price the World Number 1 will kick off his 2023 Cazoo World Darts Championship campaign in Monday’s evening session, as he prepares to face Luke Woodhouse.
Woody secured his spot in the Second Round yesterday after beating Ukrainian Vladyslav Omelchenko 3-0, but Price will prove a different prospect.
The Iceman has picked up the Sid Waddell trophy once after beating Gary Anderson 7-3 in the Final of the 2021 World Championship, in a year where the Alexandra Palace closed its doors due to the COVID Pandemic and lockdown rules.
The Red Dragon man has enjoyed another strong year in the PDC having reached his first World Matchplay Final, which inevitably got him back to number 1 on the Order of Merit having been overtaken by defending World Champion Peter Wright at one stage.
Price became only the second player in PDC history to hit two nine darters in the same night, hitting perfect legs against Michael van Gerwen and James Wade on Night 3 of this year’s Premier League in Belfast.
The Welshman went on to win his first Premier League night before winning his second night competition at the Sheffield Arena on Night 12. The Markham man has also exceeded on the Pro Tour, beating fellow Red Dragon man Gian van Veen 8-4 with an average of 102.25 in the Final of Players Championship 29.
The 37-year-old also won PC 7 edging out Latvian Madars Razma 8-4 after coming from 6-3 behind to beat Rob Cross 7-6 in the Semi Finals. The Iceman has also achieved success on the European Tour, winning the very first event of the year: the International Darts Open beating Peter Wright in the Final.
Luke Woodhouse provides a difficult opening outing on the world stage for Price, with Woody shocking Michael Smith at the 2020 World Championship after beating Bully Boy 3-1 in the Second Round.
The World Number 1 gets his campaign underway in the last match of the night, with Steve Beaton also in action against Danny van Trijp as the Bronzed Adonis prepares to take part in his 23rd consecutive World Championship.
2023 World Darts Championship: Day 5 Evening Session Order of Play
Round 1:
Geert Nentjes v Leonard Gates
Ritchie Edhouse v David Cameron
Steve Beaton v Danny van Trijp
Round 2:
Gerwyn Price (1) v Luke Woodhouse
—-Ends—–
Images: PDC
