Kirk Shepherd, the Ramsgate darts player who caused a sensation by reaching the final of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship, has been drawn against Dutchman Jan van der Rassel in the first round of the 2009 event, which starts at Alexandra Palace in London on December 19.

Shepherd went into the 2008 championship as a 500-1 outsider but battled his way through to the final before losing 7-2 to Canadian John Part.

Despite his success Shepherd, who won £50,0000 for finishing runner-up, starts this year's tournament as a 300-1 shot to win the title - the same as van der Rassel.