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Price Calls for PDC Review After World Darts Championship Prize Money Surge
Darts star Gerwyn Price has called on Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) officials to reconsider the structure of prize payouts following this week’s announcement of a significant increase in winnings for the World Darts Championship. The victor at Alexandra Palace will now claim a substantial £1 million prize, a doubling from the previous £500,000, marking a 100 percent rise in the top prize. This substantial prize money increase has sparked debate about its impact on the sport and the ranking system.
World Championship Prize Doubled to £1 Million
While prominent players such as Luke Littler and Luke Humphries may welcome the lucrative prize increase, Price expresses reservations about its overall effect on professional darts. The Welsh competitor voiced concerns that such a disproportionately large reward for the World Championship could overemphasize this single tournament’s importance in determining the world number one position. He suggests this could diminish the significance of other ranking competitions within the Order of Merit.
Concerns Over Ranking System Fairness
Starting next year, the World Darts Championship winner will receive nearly £800,000 more than the next highest prize in a ranking darts event, the World Matchplay, which offers £225,000 to the champion. In response to this disparity, Price commented, “It’s heavily weighted towards just one tournament. Despite my inconsistent performance last year, and even with a positive start to this year, winning the World Championship alone could propel me to world number one.”
Points-Based System Preferred by Price
Although Price jokingly acknowledged he would gladly accept the £1 million windfall himself, he indicated a preference for darts to adopt a points-based ranking system instead of the current Order of Merit, which is based on prize money earned. “They’ve increased the prize money for the Worlds significantly, but they need to elevate the prize funds for all other events as well,” stated the 2021 world champion.
“Change the Ranking Points”
“Otherwise,” Price continued, “they need to adjust the ranking points system. It’s unfair if winning the World Championship alone secures the world number one ranking for two years. I would happily take the million pounds, but they need to revise the ranking points distribution to create a more balanced system.”
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Potential Shift to Points-Based Ranking
This proposed alteration could potentially lead to darts transitioning from a ranking system determined by prize money on the Order of Merit to a system similar to tennis. In tennis, tournaments offer a specific number of ranking points based on their prestige and importance, offering a more granular reflection of performance across different events.
Premier League Focus for Price
In the meantime, Price’s immediate focus returns to the ongoing Premier League Darts campaign. He aims for the £350,000 top prize currently on offer, with night nine of the competition approaching in Berlin.
Playoff Spot in Premier League Sights
The 40-year-old darts player is currently well-positioned in the Premier League standings as the second half of the season commences. Price presently holds the final playoff qualification spot and is scheduled to compete against Michael van Gerwen in his quarter-final match on Thursday evening.