PDC Order Of Merit History

The PDC Order of Merit was established in 2007 as a way of replacing the former points system for ranking tournaments.

Nowadays, the PDC Order of Merit is made up of prize money won at PDC events in the previous two years, with darts prize money lost on the two-year anniversary of a tournament.

It has been a roaring success since the darts hierarchy opted to change the format of the PDC Order of Merit and it is much easier for darts fans to follow and understand.

PDC Order Of Merit Rankings

1. Gerwyn Price - £1,296,750

2. Peter Wright - £1,093,000

3. Michael van Gerwen - £921,000

4. James Wade - £457,500

5. Dimitri Van den Bergh - £448,750

6. Gary Anderson - £424,000

7. Jose de Sousa - £387,500

8. Jonny Clayton - £355,000

9. Nathan Aspinall - £347,500

10. Michael Smith - £337,750

*Figures accurate as of 1st November 2021*

Highest Earning Darts Player

Phil Taylor is the biggest earner when it comes to darts prize money, with the 16-time world champion winning over £7.1 million throughout his illustrious career.

According to financial figures, Phil Taylor net worth is estimated at £8 million. Taylor has one of the best darts walk on songs and he has made a comfortable living from the sport.

The 2021 PDC Order of Merit shows Gerwyn Price as the top earning darts player this year, with the Welshman making close to £1.4 million in prize money.

Price is some way clear of his rivals and the world number one will fancy his chances of retaining the world title next year.

Latest estimates put Michael van Gerwen net worth at around £5.3 million. The Dutchman is on track to eclipse Taylor’s worth but that isn’t exactly surprising as darts prize money is on the rise.

PDC ProTour Order Of Merit

The ProTour Order Of Merit includes darts prize money won at Players Championship and European Tour events over a 12-month period.

This means there are a number of obvious differences between the two Order Of Merit rankings, with the ProTour standings giving players a way to qualify for major televised darts tournaments.

As of November 2020, Gerwyn Price heads the ProTour Order Of Merit with £96,750 – with Michael van Gerwen languishing down in third position.

In addition, there is also a Players Championship Order Of Merit and a European Tour Order Of Merit but most darts followers revert only to the PDC and ProTour rankings.

PDC Order Of Merit Ranking Events

Not every major darts tournament is classed as a ranking event – only the biggest and most prestigious competitions are included on this list.

The PDC ranking tournaments with payouts are as follows:

• World Championship – £2.5 million
• UK Open – £450,000
• World Matchplay – £700,000
• World Grand Prix – £450,000
• European Championship – £500,000
• Grand Slam Of Darts - £550,000
• Players Championship Finals – £500,000

10) Hakeem Olajuwon

Is it controversial to put a player with a resume like Hakeem Olajuwon on this list? Plenty would prefer to see Shaquille O’Neal.

The Dream is perhaps underrated because of the timing of his career, but there’s an argument that he’s the best two-way centre to play the game.

The all-time leader in blocks, a nine-time All-Defense selection, Olajuwon combined spectacular defence with glorious offensive touch and magical footwork.

9) Kobe Bryant

The late, great Kobe Bryant was the face of the NBA after Michael Jordan departed. He formed an unbeatable duo with Shaquille O’Neal and won two titles alongside Paul Gasol to end the noughties.

Kobe was an idol. He has a fan base stronger than many franchises. It is a divisive NBA legacy, though. Some throw him into the top three, others have him in the teens. Ninth feels a good compromise.

8) Bill Russell

The most decorated player in NBA history, Bill Russell was a pioneer off the court, an iconic figure on it and an 11-time NBA champion.

Russell might not have been an offensive force like his long-time rival Chamberlain, but he was a defensive menace and a five-time league MVP.

Like Wilt Chamberlain, comparing Russell to players from later eras isn’t straight forward. There were fewer teams in his day, but leading such a spectacular NBA dynasty deserves a place in the top 10.

7) Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is the best power forward ever. He’s a five-time NBA champion, two-time MVP and 15-time All-Star.

Throughout his career, he was elite at both ends of the floor, and became an immediate star after being selected first overall in 1997.

Many would have The Big Fundamental in the top five – there’s a certainly a case for that.

6) Larry Bird

The three titles and three consecutive MVPs speak for themselves. Larry Bird’s career might have been hampered by injuries late on, but he retired as the greatest small forward of all-time and one of the best shooters ever.

Bird was a complete player. A smart defender, he racked up the steals and anticipated opponents superbly. He was an efficient shooter, and an excellent playmaker from the perimeter.

Bird was a lock for top 10, and could have been as high as four.

5) Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson didn’t only win titles. He wasn’t just a three-time MVP and four-time assist leader.

Magic brought flair to the basketball court, he won with swagger, he won playing some of the most entertaining basketball in the history of the NBA.

A 6’9 point guard who developed a shot through his professional career, there will never be another Magic. He retains the status of greatest point guard ever, and it’s hard to see that changing any time soon.

4) Wilt Chamberlain

No player has dominated the league quite like Wilt Chamberlain. Sure, he was only a two-time NBA champion, but Wilt The Stilt is on a different planet when it comes to scoring records, rebounding and even has an assist title to his name.

Chamberlain’s size and athleticism made him a near-impossible opponent and forced the league into several substantial rule changes.

There was no answer for his scoring – the averages he managed across seasons look as good as unbreakable even as offence has increased.

The different era, generally lower standard, makes Chamberlain’s placing on a list like this a controversial topic. Fourth feels fair.

3) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The most MVPs, the most All-Star selections, six rings, and a trademark move as famous as any. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in three decades and retired as the leader in several NBA stat categories.

Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas and Julius Erving all determined Kareem as their number one all-time. He shouldn’t be overlooked in the LeBron vs Jordan discussions.

2) Michael Jordan

An extraordinary athlete capable of some of the best slam dunks, as ferocious a competitor as any sportsperson ever. Michael Jordan’s six rings, the neat perfection of a 6-0 Finals record, is the bedrock of any GOAT conversation.

There was a certainty to the success of the Chicago Bulls when Jordan was involved. He was inevitable.

The legend of MJ is so much bigger than winning championships, he is a demigod for millions worldwide, a figure who embodies sporting celebrity status, who was truly bigger than the NBA.

1) LeBron James

Did LeBron James’ fourth ring in the Orlando bubble take him past Jordan? How much more does he need to achieve to cement himself as the GOAT?

James will finish his career with the most points all-time. He has four MVPs, and perhaps should have more (he’s finished in second or third on seven other occasions).

Every time his ability to stay at the pinnacle of the sport is questioned, he proves that notion wrong. LeBron is still the best player in the NBA, as has been the case for at least a decade.

His legacy can be divisive, but there should be no doubt that he’s top two all-time. The case for James as number one continues to build.