Jamie Hughes grouped for PDC Grand Slam
Tipton's Jamie Hughes will have PDC heavyweights James Wade and Dave Chisnall in his group for the Grand Slam of Darts.
Hughes is the only Black Country player involved when the eight-day tournament begins at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday afternoon, writes Craig Birch.
James Wilson, a BDO defector to the PDC and, like Chisnall, a former BDO world champion, completed Group G when the draw was made today.
The only PDC tournament to formally invite players from the BDO again takes place for a ninth year with the 10th edition at the Civic, from November 12-20.
One player from the BDO will feature in all of the eight groups, with Hughes making the cut as he's ranked fourth with the organisation.
The groups were determined on the same Civic stage that will host the event, with television presenter Tom Ross and the PDC's Dave Allen present.
Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme provided the safe hands to pick out the balls that were numbered and may be among the spectators after the tournament begins.
Ikeme said: "I used to watch the darts a lot at my mum's when I was younger but, because of how busy I am with the football, my television doesn't go on a lot now.
"Doing the draw and hearing all those big names gave me a buzz and I've never been to a live darts event, so I'll be hoping to get down to this one."
Defending Grand Slam titlist and PDC No 1 Michael van Gerwen was drawn in Group A alongside Brendan Dolan, Max Hopp and the BDO's Martin Adams.
Six-time Grand Slam winner Phil Taylor is in Group D with Ian White, Darren Webster and the BDO's Darryl Fitton.
The only other PDC player to have won the Grand Slam, Raymond van Barneveld, joins Mensur Suljovic, Nathan Aspinall and the BDO's Danny Noppert in Group F.
The only BDO thrower to have lifted the Grand Slam trophy, reigning BDO world champion Scott Waites, is a part of Group B with Robert Thornton, Gerwyn Price and Dmitri van den Burgh.
The PDC's world titlist, Gary Anderson, makes up Group E with Alan Norris, Nathan Derry and the BDO's No 1 Glen Durrant.
Expect colour from 'Snakebite' Peter Wright in Group C where he'll play Simon Whitlock, Ted Evitts and the BDO's Jeff Smith.
The line-up is completed by Group H where former PDC world champion Adrian Lewis, Benito van de Pas, Chris Dobey and the BDO's Scott Mitchell reside.
Tickets for the Grand Slam are still on sale, by calling the Civic Box Office on 0870 320 7000 or online via www.theticketfactory.com/pdc.
