Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championships - Taylor Eased

Phil "The Power" Taylor has been eased out to 4/6 (from 4/7) for the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championships after drawing a potentially awkward second round clash with talented Irish qualifier Mick McGowan.Reigning world champ Taylor meets Austrian darts debutant Anton Pein in the opening round for which The Power is likely to be an unbackable price. But the sponsors of the Circus Tavern tournament reckon the real action is likely to kick in as early as round two.David Williams, spokesman for Ladbrokes said: "McGowan impressed us more than anyone else in the qualifiers. He's got real raw talent and Phil won't be able to ease into the latter stages on auto-pilot.Providing McGowan sees off number 31-seed Matt Clark in the opening round, a pre-Christmas battle with Taylor is on the cards and the bookies haven't given up hope of getting a massive early tournament upset.Ladbrokes had an early Christmas present last year when world number one Colin Lloyd was dumped out in the opening round by little-known Gary Welding and with Raymond van Barneveld likely to be waiting for him in round two, Lloyd once again faces a tough task to make it through til after Christmas."Colin Lloyd could once again be getting stuck into the mince pies early. He must be cursing his Circus Tavern luck. It could hardly be tougher for last year's prize turkey" added Williams.The Ladbrokes.com World Championships, live on Sky Sports this Christmas, kicks off in Purfleet on Monday 18 December with the final on New Years' Day.A Barney vs Taylor dream final is offered at just 2/1 by the sponsors. "Apart from the other players, it's the clash everyone wants to see" said Williams.