Difficult draw for Ainsty ace Chris Thompson in UK Open darts tournament

World number 54 Thompson and his opponent, Nigel Heydon, just ahead of him at 51 in the standings, were the two highest-ranked players to be drawn in the 24-strong preliminary round and have been pitted together in the Sky-televised tournament affectionately known as “the FA Cup of Darts”.

But should 2008 quarter-finalist Thompson negotiate a way past Leamington Spa-based Heydon, known as “The Undertaker”, his passage to the last 64 should prove more straightforward with none of his potential opponents in the following two rounds ranked inside the world’s top 100.

Matthew Edgar, 127th in the PDC Order of Merit, awaits in the first round while Andy Pearce (134th), Matt Jackson (112th) or Speedy Hire qualifier Eddy Martin would then stand in Thompson’s way and a possible clash with one of the top 32 players at the prestigious Reebok Stadium event in Bolton.

Legal executive Thompson has a strong record in the UK Open, only bowing out to top-20 players in each of the last three years.

In 2008, York’s “Hitman” reached the last eight before being beaten 10-5 by Vincent van der Voort, 12 months later he charged to the fourth round only to go down 9-2 to Colin Lloyd and last year he lost 9-4 against Ronnie Baxter in the third round.

Thompson’s fellow Ainsty player, Martyn Turner, has been spared the preliminary round and has a favourable first game in the competition. He will tackle another Speedy Hire qualifier in Tommy Little to tee up a likely second round meeting with former World Masters winner and two-time World Championship semi-finalist Colin Monk, who takes on unknown quantity Ryan Murray in his opener.

The second round meeting between Turner or Little and Monk or Murray has been afforded on-stage treatment with its scheduling for board two.

All preliminary, first and second round ties are the best of seven legs and will be played on the opening night of the four-day competition – Thursday, June 2.