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The field for the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix has been confirmed and includes nine MODUS associated players.

The line-up for the Dublin tournament, which takes place on October 8-14, has been finalised as current positions cannot be affected by the upcoming European Championships.

World number three James Wade, who has won the double-start tournament twice, qualifies as part of the top 16 in the PDC Order of Merit.

Simon Whitlock, Mark Webster, Raymond van Barneveld and Paul Nicholson all also gain entry through their ranking positions.

In-form Michael van Gerwen has booked his place at the Citywest Hotel as the highest ranked player in the ProTour order of merit, outside of the top 16.

Mervyn King, Vincent van der Voort and UK Open champion Robert Thornton will also compete for the £100,000 title, having qualified through the ProTour Order of Merit.

The top eight players from the PDC Order of Merit will be seeded for the first round draw, which is expected to be made on Sunday.

Webster and van Barneveld could move into top eight spots depending on results in Germany this weekend.

PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix Qualifiers – (MODUS associated players in bold)

Current PDC Top 16 from PDC Order of Merit
Phil Taylor (England)
Adrian Lewis (England)
James Wade (England)
Gary Anderson (Scotland)
Wes Newton (England)
Andy Hamilton (England)
Simon Whitlock (Australia)
Terry Jenkins (England)
Mark Webster (Wales)
Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands)
Justin Pipe (England)
Kevin Painter (England)
Dave Chisnall (England)
Ronnie Baxter (England)
Mark Walsh (England)
Paul Nicholson (Australia)

Current Top 14 Non-Qualified Players from ProTour Order of Merit
Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands)
Ian White (England)
Kim Huybrechts (Belgium)
Colin Lloyd (England)
Richie Burnett (Wales)
Mervyn King (England)
Andy Smith (England)
Brendan Dolan (Northern Ireland)
Robert Thornton (Scotland)
Vincent van der Voort (Netherlands)
Michael Smith (England)
Colin Osborne (England)
Dean Winstanley (England)
Steve Beaton (England)

Top Two Non-Qualified Players from Ireland/Northern Ireland from ProTour Order of Merit
Michael Mansell (Northern Ireland)
William O’Connor (Ireland)

By Chris Murphy

Enjoy The VIP Experience, Tonbridge with Raymond van Barneveld,  James Wade and more on Oct 20. Click here to book now.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Some of the best darts players on the planet will be on show at The River Centre, Tonbridge for a special VIP night on Saturday 20 October.

Fans will enjoy the special experience of a top quality darts event VIP style, with a waitress service, buffet, meet and greet with the players and an exclusive after party, which will follow the main event.

The world-class stars on show include world number three James Wade, who has won seven major PDC titles, five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld and two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley.

They will be joined by former Premier League star Terry Jenkins, quick-fire Dutchman Vincent van der Voort and two-time Lakeside finalist Tony O’Shea.

Qualifiers Ben Songhurst and Rob Prince will be competing against the professionals on what will be a night to remember for the local pair.

Lewis Jones of MODUS said: “This is a really unique event. Not only will fans get to see some of the best darts players on the planet compete, but they will get the VIP treatment too.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to watch a darts event in a completely new and exciting way. It will be a special experience.”

VIP tickets for The Money Shop VIP Experience are priced at £60 and are available calling 08450 180 180 or online via www.dartshop.tv

For fans who wish to see the show without the VIP benefits, standard tickets have now been made available from £20 per person.

Doors open at 6.30pm for the VIP reception, with the main event starting at 8pm. VIP guests are invited to stay on for the after party from 11pm.

Simon Whitlock took victory in Sunday’s Players Championship 12 at Barnsley Metrodome, defeating Andy Hamilton 6-4 in the final.

‘The Wizard’ finally got rewarded for his solid form this year, as he claimed his first ranking title since 2010.

“I’m delighted to get the win,” said Whitlock, who will now turn his attention to the televised European Championships next week.

“It has been a while but I’ve been playing well. My form has been good so I always felt I would win one soon.

“I’ve been putting the practise in and I’m looking forward to going to Germany now, with this win under my belt.”

The Australian star, who had reached the quarter-finals in Saturday’s event, began Sunday’s tournament with a 6-2 defeat of Tony Littleton.

He followed that up with wins over Scott Rand and Kim Huybrechts, before seeing off the challenge of Steve Maish in the quarter-finals.

‘The Wizard’ halted the charge of former World Champion Dennis Priestley in the last four, triumphing 6-2 over the Yorkshire-man before beating Hamilton to clinch the £6,000 title.

Whitlock trailed ‘The Hammer’ by two legs in the final but hit back to tie the match at 2-2.

The next four legs all went with the throw before Whitlock grabbed a crucial break, hitting double eight to take the lead before posting double 16 to triumph.

Michael van Gerwen, who won Saturday’s event, was denied the chance to make it a double success.

The Dutchman was defeated by Hamilton in the semi-finals, with ‘Mighty Mike’ missing double twelve for a nine-darter.

van Gerwen defeated Kevin McDine, Jamie Caven, Terry Jenkins and Prakash Jiwa en route to the last four.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Images courtesy of Lawrenc Lustig/PDC