VINCE SLAMS PDC OVER WITHDRAWAL CRISIS

By Aaron Nijjar

VINCENT van der Voort has launched a stinging attack on the PDC’s tournament qualification system following a wave of last-minute withdrawals at the recent European Tour event in Riesa.  

‘The Dutch Destroyer’ believes the chaos surrounding the late withdrawals of Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross from the International Darts Open exposed serious flaws in how the PDC handles replacements.  

Qualifying events are currently held a month in advance and at entirely separate venues from the main tournaments. 

First reserve Richard Veenstra was able to step in just in time after three-time world champion MVG pulled out.  

But second reserve Connor Scutt was denied a chance to play due to the timing of Cross’s withdrawal. 

Former UK Open finalist Van der Voort believes this outdated model denies opportunities to players who are in top form but unable to respond to late withdrawals due to logistical issues. 

He said on the Darts Draait Door podcast: “The PDC has so much more prize money now, and they’re so full of themselves… Just hold the qualifying tournament on-site, a day before the main event.  

“It’s really not that complicated. If the PDC offered prize money for the qualifier and held it the day before the main tournament, the problem would be solved.  

“You’d have all the players on-site, and the ones in form. If someone withdraws, you’ve got a shadow list ready to go.” 

The Dutchman didn’t hide his frustration with the PDC’s leadership, taking particular aim at chairman Barry Hearn and CEO Matt Porter. 

He added: “Neither of them are players – they don’t get it.” 

Seven-time Premier League winner Van Gerwen also came up in the discussion as a further example of the system’s inflexibility.  

‘The Green Machine’ had withdrawn from the Austrian Open later this month.  

However, 47-time major champion Van Gerwen now regrets it after missing out on Riesa and has no way of playing in the Euro Tour at Graz after his qualifier spot has already been taken.  

Van der Voort said: “Next time, he won’t withdraw so early, because things can change.  

“But really, the blame lies with the PDC.”