JOE Cullen hopes to retain his Masters crown this weekend, as he criticised the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) for the current waiting game over this year’s Premier League line-up.

The Bradford thrower’s 11-9 victory over Dave Chisnall in the Masters final last January was his first TV title, and secured him the eighth and final spot in the 2022 Premier League, which he reached the final of last June.

But this year, only the top four in the world rankings, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith, have had their places confirmed yet, even though the tournament begins in Belfast next Thursday.

Cullen told the T&A: “It’s a strange one.

“The last couple of years, Jonny (Clayton) and I have got in off the back of winning the Masters, after all the other names had already been confirmed.

“The top four in the world are guaranteed a place, but the other four spots it’s just guess work.

“I don’t think the PDC get a lot wrong, but I reckon they should have told people by now.

“The final of the Masters final is on Sunday, and whoever is in the Premier League will have to travel to Belfast next Tuesday, so it’s a bit strange to keep four players in the dark.

“My manager has spoken to the PDC for an update, but I’ve not heard anything, nor have the other players he has in his stable.

“It’s not out of the question that some players have been chosen by the PDC, but it hasn’t been confirmed publicly, but that’s not the case as far as I’m aware.”

For now, Wyke man Cullen has to put that frustration to one side, as he returns to Milton Keynes this weekend, the scene of his biggest triumph yet in darts 12 months ago.

He said: “It’ll be strange, as it’s the first time I’ll be going into a TV event as reigning champion.

“I’m looking forward to it, as I’ve had that nice break in Barbados and I’m feeling refreshed.”

The event is contested between the top 24 players on the PDC’s Order of Merit, with the top eight getting a bye into the second round on Saturday.

But Cullen is 12th in the rankings, so he must start his tournament tomorrow.

He said: “It’s good to go up against the best of the best, because it gives you a gauge of where your game is at.

“I want to be as high as possible in the Order of Merit, so I’m not happy to only be 12th.

“I want to be in the top eight next year so I can start on the Saturday, but that will all come in time.”

There is a good reason why the Bradford man wants to avoid the Masters first round going forward, saying: “I enjoy the legs format of the Masters, but it’s only first to six in the first round.

“You’re just hoping to get the match out of the way and get through, because you can’t afford to start slow like in the other rounds, which are best-of-19 and best-of-21.

“I’m up against Chris Dobey too, who’s just reached the World Championship quarter-finals.”

Asked if that will give his Geordie opponent confidence for tomorrow’s match, Cullen said: “It depends how much darts he’s played between the Worlds and the Masters.

“A lot of people had a break, like me heading off to Barbados.

“I don’t know exactly how much Chris has done, but I do know he was at Newcastle’s cup game down in Southampton.

“To be honest though, unless you win or maybe reach the final of the Worlds, I don’t think it tends to have much of an impact on how you do at the Masters.”