Darts star didn't hold back with his thoughts on the latest amendments to the European Tour rules.

The number 19 was left disillusioned by the rule change announced this week. It sees the top 16 of the Order of Merit now given byes to the second round of tournaments instead of the top 16 from the Pro Tour, who will have to compete in the opening round.

It's been questioned if the rule change aims to shield marquee players from an embarrassing early departure. Searle expressed his frustration on social media after the news broke.

Taking to X, 'Heavy Metal' wrote: "What is the point of the ProTour Order of Merit? The one that shows the true form and consistency of players. Asking for a friend."

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His quip caught the attention of Damon Heta, who ranks eighth in the PDC rankings, leading to an amusing interaction online. The Australian countered Searle's comment with: "Mate I thought it was a New Year New You with no complaining."

To which Searle swiftly retorted: "You are already on the face doesn't fit blacklist so back me up." This jab from the darts ace alludes to Heta's debatable exclusion from the despite his impressive play, a decision PDC boss Matt Porter acknowledged was influenced to some extent by the market appeal of those who were selected.

Searle, who struggles with astigmatism resulting in blurred or distorted vision, has bravely shared his experiences with the condition that's been with him since his younger years. Despite using contact lenses to enhance his game, he's revealed that sometimes in the heat of play, he must ask where his dart has landed.

"It has not been easy," Searle admitted to the in 2023. "I wear contact lenses to play and it's improved my sight a little bit. I was about [No.] 54 in the world playing without contact lenses, then I went up to about [No.] 15 once I could see a little bit better.

"I'm quite a rhythmic player so it helped that I wasn't having to stop and ask [the referee] every few throws. It has definitely helped my game. It's still not great and I have to ask every now and again. But that's what I've always known so it's not like I've gone from having good vision to not being able to see.

"That's how I've always seen the board and my eyesight isn't getting any worse, which is a positive. It was never picked up at school but I knew my eyesight wasn't very good. Before the eye tests, I'd go up to the chart and try and memorise the lower line so I didn't have to wear glasses.

"When I was a kid, you'd get the mick taken out of you if you wore glasses. Not now, they're quite fashionable, aren't they? So it wasn't picked up and it needs to be picked up before you're eight really."