Luke Littler: How shut is teenager star to world No 1 and when can he overtake Luke Humphries after World Matchplay win in Blackpool?

Luke Littler refused to explain himself as one of the best darts participant on the planet after his Betfred World Matchplay victory, however how shut is he to formally turning into world No 1?

The 18-year-old defeated James Wade 18-13 in a high-quality ultimate at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, the place he fired a 107.24 common on his technique to turning into the youngest participant to win the Phil Taylor Trophy.

Victory noticed Littler turn out to be simply the fifth participant to finish the Triple Crown – having already gained the Premier League final Might and the World Championship in January – becoming a member of Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries in darts’ unique membership.

His newest record-breaking success provides to his rising haul of titles and closes the hole on Humphries on the prime of the PDC world rankings, with extra majors to come back within the second half of the yr for Littler to get to prime spot.

How do the rankings work?

The Werner Rankings Ladder (PDC World Rankings) relies on prize cash gained over a two-year interval by gamers in rating tournaments.

Humphries at present tops the standings – as of July 28 – with £1,797,750, whereas Luke Littler’s newest TV title lifted him to £1,500,500 and fewer than £300,000 away from prime spot.

Michael van Gerwen is their closest challenger however a great distance again in third (£739,750), with Stephen Bunting in fourth and Wade finishing the highest 5 after his run to the Blackpool ultimate.

Why is Humphries’ No 1 spot below menace?

Littler is simply in his second yr of holding a PDC Tour Card, that means all prize cash earned from rating occasions will go in direction of his complete, whereas Humphries is defending the cash gained in the course of the 2023 season.

Humphries misplaced £40,000 from his rating after a first-round exit in Blackpool, incomes £10,000 in comparison with the £50,000 he bought for reaching the semi-finals in 2023, whereas Littler took dwelling the £200,000 first prize.

A giant consider Humphries holding the No 1 spot is all the way down to his sturdy end to 2023, the place he gained the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and the Gamers Championship Finals forward of his World Championship success.

Humphries must defend all that cash over the approaching months, along with his rating dropping for all titles he would not win, whereas all cash Littler earns in these occasions will assist him push in direction of prime spot.

How has Littler bought so near No 1?

Littler earned £700,000 from his two World Championship appearances, ending runner-up on debut in 2024 earlier than lifting the Trophy earlier this yr, whereas wins on the World Matchplay, 2024 Grand Slam of Darts (£153,500) and the 2025 UK Open (£110,000) have helped his case.

He has gained three PDC European Tour occasions, every incomes £30,000, with the run to final yr’s Gamers Championship Finals added £60,000. Different prize cash consists of three PDC Professional Tour wins and performances from different rating occasions.

When can Littler overtake Humphries?

The World Sequence of Darts occasions in Australia (August 8-9), New Zealand (August 15-16) and the Jack’s On line casino World Sequence of Darts Finals within the Netherlands (September 12-14) are non-ranking occasions, that means all prize cash gained would not go in direction of their rankings.

There are eight Gamers Championship occasions and 4 European Tour occasions between now and the following TV main, with Littler more likely to be even nearer to Humphries earlier than the World Grand Prix from October 6-12.

If Littler is inside £232,000 of ‘Cool Hand Luke’ heading into that week in Leicester, {the teenager} might turn out to be world No 1 for the primary time if he gained the title and Humphries suffered a first-round exit.

There will probably be additional alternatives in October to earn rating factors, with 4 Gamers Championship occasions in Wigan and the German Darts Championship (October 12-14), whereas the European Championship (October 25-28) has a £120,000 first prize.

What concerning the World Championship?

Humphries dangers dropping additional rating factors on the Grand Slam of Darts (November 8-16) and the Ladbrokes Gamers Championship Finals (November 21-23), two years on from successful each, along with his world No 1 standing liable to being gone earlier than the World Championship.

He would head to the Alexandra Palace as No 1 seed if he stays forward of Littler within the standings, though the 2024 World Championship prize cash will drop off each gamers’ rankings after this yr’s contest.

Meaning Humphries might lose nearly £500,000 from his rating and Littler nearly £200,000, relying on their efficiency on this yr’s occasion – that includes a report 128-player discipline and providing a £1m first prize.

A profitable title defence for Littler would assure the world No 1 spot, no matter Humphries’ efficiency, whereas there are a number of eventualities the place ‘The Nuke’ might enter 2026 prime of the rankings.

What has Littler stated about it?

Talking after his World Matchplay win, Littler stated: “I’ve seemed on the rankings – provisional No 1 for the worlds if Luke would not defend all that prize cash – clearly I do not need him to.”

“I would like to be No 1, however we’ll simply have to seek out out. For myself, simply try to add more cash to my rankings.”

On whether or not he looks like the present world No 1, Littler stated: “Perhaps stats smart, however each time I get requested the query, I am going to by no means say I am one of the best.

“I feel if you happen to’re No 1 then you’re the finest, regardless of if you happen to exit to tournaments early, if you happen to do not carry out properly. However after I’m No 1, I am going to say I am one of the best.”

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