Player of the Year 2016

Yes, perhaps there is a reason: there are 3 more players participating in SOD tournaments. That is, it can be confidently said that those who sign up for all tournaments without discrimination also sign up for HOTA tournaments.

The fact that more people play SOD can be just as easily explained by simple inertia of thought and unwillingness (due to sheer laziness) to learn something new, even if it is much better. Just an idea.
But overall, sorry. Discussion at this level is uninteresting. "It can be confidently said" and then something is said that cannot be "confidently" said based on the available information. I'll skip such discussions. It will turn into a banal flame war, "without coming to my senses."
Sorry, I misspoke. :D