The PDC recently announced that there will be new qualification criteria for the European Tour from now on. One of the biggest changes is the participation of the Top 16 of the Order of Merit.
These players start in the first round of the European Tour tournaments, whereas the Top 16 of the Pro Tour Order of Merit only enter the action from the second round onwards.
"Nobody understands this system now. Nobody!" Robert Marijanovic addressed the topic in the 'Game on' podcast and used the example of Luke Humphries to explain what makes this system so confusing.
"As a player in the top 16 of the Order of Merit, he will already be playing on Friday (in the first round of the European Tour tournament, ed.), although he is already in the Pro Tour Order of Merit and could play in the second round. But the top 16 in the Order of Merit get their prize money directly into the rankings and those waiting in the second round first have to win a game to get their prize money."
In addition, according to Marijanovic, some players will not register for the European Tour tournaments, although they are allowed to take part as seeded players. "Keyword Premier League players," Marijanovic points out. These players would have to play Premier League darts into the night on Thursday and, in the worst case, be back on stage at 1 p.m. the following day at a distant venue in another country - a logistical challenge. That's why Marijanovic is certain: "There will be a lot of cancellations at tournaments this year."
Finally, he talked about the players who are new to the Pro Tour: "Of course, it will be a bit more difficult for them to get into the Pro Tour. It will take them a long time to reach the top position because they have to enter the Tour Card Qualifier, where there are only 10 places (instead of the previous 24 places, ed.)."
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