SOUTAR DOUBLES DOWN ON UNFAIR EURO TOUR RULE CHANGE

ALAN SOUTAR has hit out at the PDC’s European Tour format after claiming it’s made life “extremely hard” for players outside the elite.

The rule change sees the top 16 players in the Order of Merit receive byes straight to the second round at European Tour events, instead of the top 16 from the ProTour, who will have to compete in the opening round.

The remaining competitors have to come through three qualifying matches before even reaching the first round, where they then have to play again to progress.

World No. 54 Soutar insists the system is stacked against mid-ranked players and only serves to protect those already at the top.

Soutar fears rising talents are being shut out before they even get a chance to shine on the circuit.

He told the Mission Darts Podcast: “Yeah, I’m not getting the dizzy heights of the top 32 or starting to approach that.

“But unfortunately, the PDC and the rule change of the Euro Tours has made it extremely hard to close the gap on the guys in the top 32.

“So I think I’m one of those players now that sits in that 33 to 64, and that’s reality.

“And I’m not a professional dart player full time. So yeah.

“I got a bit of slagging for it when I spoke out about it in an interview with the PDC, and everyone was like, ‘No, no, he’s right’, ‘No, no, he’s wrong’, ‘Stop moaning, get better’ and all that kind of thing.

“But the reality is it’s very hard to close that gap, and it’s kind of free money for those guys that are already in the top 32, top 16 in the rankings. So yeah, it’s extremely difficult.

“And if you speak to any of the players that are in my sort of area in the rankings, they’ll all say the same thing.”

‘Soots’ reaching three quarter-finals on the Players Championship circuit and the fifth round of the UK Open earlier this year.

The Scot is happy with his 2025 campaign as he looks to have a strong end by having a big run at the Players Championship Finals or the World Championships.

He added: “Yeah, do you know what? I quantify it always by November, December.

“So, you know you’re going to keep your Tour Card, but also you’re going to be in the Player Championship Finals and you’re going to be in Ally Pally.

“And I’ve done both of them. So pretty good for me, I think. I’m sitting 54th in the world, which is safe for my Tour Card.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.