shortly after the bdo and pdc agreed the tomlin order in june 1997, some bdo players participated in the world matchplay event between 1997 and 2001, and in the world grand prix event between 1998 and 2001. mason went back to playing in the bdo world championship after the tomlin order, but continued to play in other pdc televised majors outside of their world championship. after a second round defeat in the bdo world championships in 1998, he went on to reach the semi finals of the 1998 world matchplay, narrowly losing 11–13 to ronnie baxter. the following year, mason reached the quarter finals of the 1999 world matchplay, losing 11–16 to taylor. mason also reached the quarter finals of the world grand prix events in 1999 and 2000, losing to peter manley and taylor respectively.