Draw World Grand Prix 2023 announced: defending champion Van Gerwen meets Rock in first round

Michael van Gerwen will take on junior world champion Josh Rock in the first round of the World Grand Prix, the draw for the double-in double-out tournament revealed Monday.

The World Grand Prix is a unique tournament on the PDC calendar. In this event, legs must also be started with a double. Also, a set format is used.

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The tournament was won last year by Van Gerwen, who captured his sixth World Grand Prix title with a 5-3 victory over Nathan Aspinall. Also in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019, "Mighty Mike" was the best at this tournament.

Elsewhere, Gerwyn Price will take on former UK Open champ Danny Noppert. Peter Wright faces World Championship semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens, Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall is up against Stephen Bunting and World Champion Michael Smith has Callan Rydz to deal with.

The World Grand Prix is scheduled from Monday, Oct. 2, to Sunday, Oct. 8, at the Morningside Arena in Leicester. This venue has hosted the double-in double-out tournament since 2021.

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World Grand Prix 2023

(1) Michael Smith v Callan Rydz

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Brendan Dolan

(8) Rob Cross v Andrew Gilding

Jose de Sousa v Gary Anderson

(4) Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert

Krzysztof Ratajski v James Wade

(5) Nathan Aspinall v Stephen Bunting

Martin Schindler v Raymond van Barneveld

(2) Michael van Gerwen v Josh Rock

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Chris Dobey

(7) Jonny Clayton v Ross Smith

Joe Cullen v Mike De Decker

(3) Peter Wright v Gabriel Clemens

Damon Heta v Ryan Searle

(6) Luke Humphries v Daryl Gurney

Dave Chisnall v Luke Woodhouse