Ryan Searle struck due to the sudden change European trip rules that stipulate that the top 16 PDC Order of Merit players will be exempt from the second round and ProTour Order of Merit players must play the first round.
It was a controversial move that was essentially seen as a consolation for the big names rather than anyone who had to play Premier League football the night before Friday’s match.
This is especially true for players like Searle, who are among the top ProTour players. “Heavy Metal” is a perennial title winner and often reaches the final stages in Players Championship tournaments.
However, under these new rules, his hard work will essentially translate into an earlier start on European Tour weekends and less chance of earning money for failing in the rankings. Damon Heta he himself also provided a hilarious response to Searle’s complaints when he took to Facebook today to vent his frustration.
A year after Order of Merit players were given free entry to events in an attempt to get big names involved in the European Tours as many were at risk of not qualifying. But now it has gone further.
“What is the point of the ProTour Order of Merit? The one who shows the true form and consistency of the players. Asking about a friend,” Searle wrote, posting a screenshot of the corrections.
He received a hilarious response from Damon Heta, who wrote, “Man, I thought it was a New Year and a New You, no complaining.”
To which Searle responded by saying: “You’re already on a face that doesn’t fit the blacklist, so support me.” This, of course, has to do with Damon Heta being snubbed in the Premier League and picks being given to Matt Porter also for commercial value.
Heta then replied to a user’s comment on X that she loved Searle. “It has to be done by someone other than his family.”
