"It’s not something that can be changed overnight" - Colin Lloyd muses over dilemma of PDC Order of Merit

Luke Humphries is still currently ranked number one in the world. However, 'Cool Hand Luke' is quietly feeling the hot breath of Luke Littler on his neck. The current ranking system at the PDC is sometimes questioned. So is former world number one Colin Lloyd. But what exactly needs to change? The Englishman has no immediate answer to that either.

Currently, a two-year system is used to compile the world rankings. Suppose a player reaches the final of the World Grand Prix this year, he defends its prize money in 2027. If he reaches the final again, he keeps that prize money in the world rankings; if he goes out earlier, he loses (part of) that prize money. For example, it came about that Nathan Aspinall - who managed to win the World Matchplay in 2023, but lost in the opening round this year - suddenly dropped out of the top 20 in the world rankings after that tournament.

But while that is the case, Colin Lloyd spoke to Online Darts and said the problem of the Order of Merit is often mused upon but isn't as easy to change as people think it is.

He said that no matter that it is a process he is glad he doesn't involve himself in but that he does see the issues arise in the fact that those players who drop off slightly for a small period are being punished especially those who are now playing better than they were before.

But that in the end he wouldn't change the system and that it can never be a perfect science anyway.

"That system – that two-year system – has been in place now for umpteen years. Umpteen years. You know full well, if you win a big one, you win a big one – you win the Matchplay. Luke Littler knows in two years’ time he’s got to defend that, he’s got to defend that money.

"It’s a process. At one time it was a points system, then it went to a money list. It’s a two-year rollover system, and that’s been in place for a good while now.

"It’s not something that can be changed overnight. It has to be done over a period of time. How they do that, I’m very pleased to say that I don’t have to get involved in any of that!

"But like you say, it does seem as though, if you’re a player and you’re in really good form, or you were in really good form back then and now you’re a little bit off it – or you’re actually playing better now – it seems like you’re getting punished both ways. You don’t get the benefits of that until miles down the line.

"But I’m going to be a little bit ruthless and a little bit cutthroat here, You know the system. You know how the system works. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but that’s the way the system is."