The action gets underway on our dedicated channel - Sky Sports Darts - on Thursday, December 14 at 7pm
Saturday 2 December 2017 14:17, UK
Phil Taylor says he is determined to "enjoy" his final World Championship and aims to bow out of the sport in a blaze of glory by landing his 17th title.
The legendary Stoke star will retire following the tournament and is bidding to end his career on a high at Alexandra Palace on New Year's Day.
The 16-time world champion has been drawn against one of the sport's top young prospects as he takes on Bedlington's Chris 'Hollywood' Dobey, the world No 38, in the first round.
Dobey, 27, was a quarter-finalist in the 2016 Grand Slam of Darts and reached the second round on his World Championship debut last year.
"It will be a big challenge for me," Taylor told the official PDC website. "Chris has made massive strides in the last couple of years and is wanting to make his mark, but I can go up there relaxed because I've nothing to lose.
"It's my final World Championship and I want to enjoy it."
If the tournament follows the seeding, Taylor would have to beat Justin Pipe, James Wade, two-time winner Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and defending champion Michael van Gerwen to clinch the dream ending.
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace starts on Thursday, December 14 and ends New Year's Day.
Keep up to date with the news as the PDC celebrates 25 years on Sky Sports. So get all the latest at sky.mnosports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts - don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts
