Although I agree with Jabroni, my feeling on who makes it and who doesn't means nothing to me. Adjust, step-up or get rolled over. Sucks to be you if you have a bad year. Go to regionals the next year and lead the points. I actually like the approach from a management position. Too many pro-"sports"
have opened themselves to letting the players dictate the scale. The PBA didn't. I believe this is why many older PBA players don't like the new format.(no rewards for being an old dog) Todays world is dog eat dog and usually your a** is a pile of kibble, so I do not feel sorry for any that don't make it. I still like them very much and have met many but sympathy is not here. I would like to see an expanded field like some stated with 2-7game qualifying rounds then matching that 32 against the top 32 in points for a bracket. I don't like doubling points for majors as that is a bit too many points also multi-year exemptions are kind of bogus when exceeding 2 years. The Tommy Delutz thing was just a management decision and had a lot to do with timing of the new tour.

Would Earl have made it today? Yes, he would have ripped the regional tour for a year or two then made the step. Life is all about breaks as you know "Lucky". Some days your the dog, somedays your the bone.