Two-time world champion Gary Anderson wants to see a big change that could seriously shake up darts going forward.
Anderson booked his spot in the quarter-finals at the European Championship thanks to a 10-4 win over Michael van Gerwen in Dortmund.
Gary Anderson overcame Michael van Gerwen at the European Championship in DortmundGetty
The win also boosted Anderson’s bank balance, with all quarter finalists to pocket at least £20,000.
Anderson could net a whopping £120,000 if he goes on to take out the tournament.
Aside from a beefed-up wallet, Anderson’s victories at the European Championship will improve his standing in the PDC order of merit.
As it stands, the order of merit is decided by prize money won by a player across all rankings events over a 104-week period.
However, Anderson believes there should be a big change to the system.
It would also mean his efforts at the European Championship are largely in vain.
“Well Europeans, ever since they started putting the European money on the overall merit [in 2016], the main ranking, yeah it’s hard,” Anderson said in the aftermath of his victory over Van Gerwen.
“You know, I’ve not done Europeans for eight years and you’ve got to remember I stayed in the top 10 for about six of the eight years missing all the Europeans. So [the way] I look at it, I’ve done well to do that.
“You know, the Europeans, the money goes onto your overall rankings and then the only way you can play in the finals of this is to play in the Europeans.
“But I don’t think it should go onto the overall rankings. I think that’s a no-no.
Anderson does not believe European Tour events should count towards the PDC order of meritGetty
“Nah, there are enough tournaments and Pro Tours abroad that the Europeans… If you play the Europeans, it should go to the European finals and that’s it. It shouldn’t go to your overall ranking.”
Anderson had spent considerable time away from the European Tour but made his return last year at the Dutch Darts Championship.
The man dubbed ‘The Flying Scotsman’ also picked up his first European Tour win in ten years when he emerged victorious at the European Darts Grand Prix in April.
Anderson sits 23rd in the PDC order of merit having earned £364,000 across the last two years.
Defending world champion Luke Humphries sits atop the list having raked in £1.75million with Michael Smith in second thanks to his two-year prize money haul of £1.072m.
Teenage sensation Luke Littler is 20th as he pocketed £397,500, but thanks to his staggering endorsements, he’s been tipped by Barry Hearn to earn £1m sooner than later.
