The Auckland Darts Masters: What you need to know

The Auckland Darts Masters will get underway on Friday night, with many of the world's best players featuring in the third instalment of the event.

The 16-man tournament will feature eight of the top 20 players in the world, while eight Oceanic qualifiers will also take part.

Although current world champion Michael van Gerwen, along with 2015 Auckland champion Adrian Lewis won't be taking part,it will be the last time the New Zealand fans get to see the great Phil Taylor in action.

Here's a rundown on who's taking part.

Gary 'The Flying Scotsman' Anderson  

Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson Photo credit: Getty Images

World ranking:  2

The two-time world champion will be looking to defend his title in Auckland. The 46-year old has had a mixed bag in 2017 with two runner-ups, but also two early exits in major tournaments - but heads into the event as the favourite.

Peter 'Snakebite' Wright

Peter Wright
Peter Wright Photo credit: Getty Images

Current world ranking: 3

The world no 3 is a fan favourite with his mohawk and obscure outfits. With a number of the best players missing, Wright will be looking to capitalise and win his second televised tournament. The 47-year old has won nine ranked events this year, including the UK Open.

Phil 'The Power' Taylor

Phil Taylor
Phil Taylor Photo credit: Getty Images

Current world ranking: 4

This weekend is all going to be about the 'Power' as he plays in New Zealand for the final time.

The 16-time world champion is in top form after beating Raymond van Barneveld, Micahel van Gerwen and Peter Wright on the way to his 16th World Matchplay crown.

Raymond 'Barney' van Barneveld

Current world ranking: 8

The five-time world champion will be looking to add to his 38 PDC titles this weekend.

Van Barneveld was a part of the Netherlands team which won the World Cup of Darts this year, and was the 2014 Premier League champion.

Michael 'Bull Boy' Smith

Current world ranking: 9

This is Smith's first time competing In Auckland. The 26-year old was the 2013 World Youth Champion and a Grand Slam of Darts semi-finalist in 2015. Smith is a seven-time PDC ranking event winner.

James 'The Machine' Wade

Current world ranking: 10

Wade is the most successful left-handed player in darts. He has won multiple titles, including the UK Open champion 2008 and 2011 along with the Premier League in 2010.

Having made the semi-finals in Auckland in both 2015 and 2016, Wade is looking to go one better and win his first tournament of 2017.

Daryl 'SuperChin' Gurney

Current world ranking: 12

Gurney will be the dark horse in the tournament as he is in the best form of his life. The 31-year old recently made the semi-finals at the World Matchplay, defeating Gary Anderson in the process.

Simon 'The Wizard' Whitlock

Simon Whitlock
Simon Whitlock Photo credit: Getty Images

Current world ranking: 18

The most successful darts player to come from Australia has the skills to beat anybody when he is on form.  Whitlock was a finalist at the 2010 World Championships, and led Australia to the final of the 2012 World Cup of Darts.  

The Wizard has won 17 PDC ranking titles, including five inside past year.

The Oceanic qualifiers:

Kyle 'The Original' Anderson

Current world ranking: 28

Anderson will head into the tournament full of confidence after winning his maiden PDC title on the weekend at the Player Championship 17, hitting a nine-darter in the tournament. The Aussie defeated top players Ronny Huybrechts, Stephen Bunting, Michael Smith and Kevin Painter on the way to the title.

Cody 'Code Star' Harris

The Aucklander has represented New Zealand twice at the World Cup of Darts.

It will be a big test for Harris, who later this year will be competing at the World Championships at the famous Alexander Palace after winning the DartPlayers New Zealand's annual qualifying event last month.

Rob 'The Hurricane' Szabo

Szabo is New Zealand's top ranked darts player and will be competing in his third-straight Auckland Darts Masters.

A builder by trade, Szabo has represented New Zealand at three World Cup of Darts and has participated in two World Championships, where he faced Phil Taylor in 2014 and Jamie Caven in 2016.

Warren 'Waza' Parry

Warren Parry
Warren Parry Photo credit: Getty Images

The man from Invercargill has arguably the greatest achievement out of any darts players from New Zealand, having beaten Michael van Gerwen 6-5 at the Sydney Darts masters in 2014.

Parry, is a three-time World Cup of Darts representative for New Zealand and had participated at four World Championships.

Corey 'The King' Cadby

Cadby is one of the best young players on the circuit, winning the 2016 PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship. He qualified for the 2017 World Championships, but lost to Joe Cullen in the first round.

The King defeated Phil Taylor at the Perth Darts Masters in 2016, but lost to Peter Wright in the quarter-finals. He is also the winner of five DPA tournaments in 2017.

Mark 'Maestro' Cleaver

The 49-year old will be competing at his second Auckland Darts Masters after taking part in 2015, where he lost to Peter Wright 6-1.

A plaster by trade, Cleaver defeated James Bailey, Tahuna Irwin, Mike Day, Ben Robb and Rob Modra to win one of three qualifier tournaments.

Darren 'Apocalypse' Herewini

This is Darren's first televised darts tournament. The 26-year old won the a qualifying tournament, where he saw off Koha Kokiri 6-4 in the final.

Herewini is a sprinkler technician by trade.

Rob 'The Remedy' Modra

This will be the second time the Australian has competed in Auckland. He pushed Gary Anderson in the first round going down 6-5.

Modra has two Australian Matchplays titles too his name and one Australian Open crown.

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