That there's been movement from the waitlist only 3 days since registration opened kinda makes the panic from some in this thread a bit premature.
Maybe so, I actually hope so. Still think it's newsworthy for disc golf junkies to discuss, as many of us think this is a very imperfect system that shows little signs of improving.
I look at this tournament as the most important of the year, as do many others in the disc golf world. The PDGA promotes it as such, the sponsors tout their players as world champions is they win this one tourney (maybe the USDGC is the only other tourney that sponsors hugely promote their players for winning in the form of giving signature discs, promotions in their team, and using their likeness in ads). If this system doesn't change, and the qualification process doesn't change, then we might see a bigger fiasco than we have seen at the memorial or this worlds.
I understand the grips and points from all sides, think they are valid. I just think it's worth pointing out that there is huge room for improvement, and the people that are interested in following Worlds as fans want the top players in there.
The PDGA has a world ranking system, a National Tour ranking system, a player rating system, it just seems like they could use those to allow at least the top 50 players (all those who actually stand a chance of winning it) an automatic signup, with them having an opt-out date or something, then open up the rest of registration to those who qualify on the points system.
Maybe the sky isn't falling right now, but surely this shouldn't just be ignored. Many people want this issue addressed, as seen by the many times this has been discussed in the past, not just by people here, but by pros in social media. This isn't ideal, and there's seems to be simple was of helping to improve the situation.