"We haven’t a chance. How do you break into the top 32?" - William O'Connor gives scathing assessment of PDC's controversial Euro Tour changes

PDC
Friday, 31 January 2025 at 12:00
william oconnor 2

William O'Connor provided the shock of the tournament so far at the 2025 PDC Winmau World Masters on Thursday night. The experienced Irishman fought back from a set down to defeat World number four Rob Cross and move through to the last 16.

Cross came to Milton Keynes with a lot of confidence after winning the Dutch Darts Masters just last weekend. 'Voltage' also got off to an excellent start against O'Connor, effortlessly taking the first set 2-0. From there though, it was all about 'Magpie' as O'Connor ruthlessly picked off almost every chance offered to him, defying an average of over 103 from the former world champion.

“I promised myself this is going to be the year. So, whether I’ve got a bit of luck or got a bit of someone looking down on me, but I mean it. Hopefully this is the year for me," reflected O'Connor post-match. “You get out of darts what you put in. You don’t put in the time and effort, you get what you deserve. I got what I deserved and that’s it. So, this year is a difference and you have to put in the time and if you don’t, you’re going to get pushed out for these new up-and-comers."

"It’s relentless. It’s so difficult. The tour is soul destroying. You go and play at the best darts of your life and still go home and put no money in the bank. The tour is so hard because it’s the best players in the world. It’s not the best players in Ireland or England or Germany. It’s the best players in the world and that’s what you’re against every week," the former UK Open semifinalist continues. “I want to win a Players’ Championship. That’s what my sights are set on. That’s just the plan. Change of mindset and dedication. A little bit of ease at home and stuff. That’s it.”

O’Connor’s hopes of moving up the PDC Order of Merit have been dealt a serious blow however, following the controversial changes made to the European Tour for 2025. This coming year, the top 16 have guaranteed entry to the second round of Euro Tour events, meaning players such as O’Connor could have to win five matches (including qualifiers) just to get to the same round. In essence, protecting the elite's status within the sport.

“We’re goosed. The European tour is such a huge part of the pro tour. Is it eight qualifying now for the pro tours? We haven’t a chance. How do you break into the top 32? How do you break into anything?" O'Connor questions frustratedly. “Whatever opportunity you have, they’re pulling it out from under you. It makes it so difficult. Even if you qualify for one or two of those now in a year, it’s going to be huge. You can’t catch the big boys. They are where they are and they’re going to stay there.”

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