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Markham’s Gerwyn Price will get his World Darts Championship campaign underway on Monday night, facing off against world number 50 Luke Woodhouse at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Price, who is world number one, enters the competition in the second round, while Woodhouse goes into the game on the back of a 3-0 first round victory over Vladyslav Omelchenko – the first Ukrainian to ever compete in the tournament.

The clash is the last of four ties to take place on Monday evening (December 19), starting at 7pm.

Price became world champion two years ago when the tournament was played behind closed doors due to Covid. Last year, he was beaten in the quarter-finals by eventual finalist Michael Smith.

This year, Price, 37, will look to become just the seventh player to win multiple World Championship titles.

“I always think I’m going to win every tournament I go in to, so does Peter [Wright] and so does Michael [van Gerwen],” claimed Price – the top seed at this year’s event.

“It’s nice to win the World Championship once, but to become multiple World Champion – that’s my next goal, and there’s no reason I can’t win another three or four before I retire.

“I know what it’s like to win the World Championship, but I don’t know what it’s like to win it in front of a big crowd, with celebrations and family there, so that’s a big drive for me now.”

The Iceman has already won five titles this year, including the International Darts Open, two Players Championships, the New Zealand Darts Masters and the World Series of Darts finals.