Luke Littler will become world number one for the first time after booking his place in the final of the Darts Grand Slam in Wolverhampton.
The world champion’s 16-9 victory over Dutchman Danny Noppert means he will overtake rival Luke Humphries to top the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world rankings regardless of the outcome of Sunday night’s final.
Littler’s earnings during the two-year period determining the Order of Merit total £1,770,500 after reaching the final, a figure that will rise to £1,850,000 if he wins.
With Humphries defending the money he earned by triumphing in this tournament in 2023, even if he lifts the trophy again he will have earned £1,769,000, just shy of fellow Englishman Littler.
“It’s not even been two years since I’ve been on tour and I’m already number one in the world,” Littler told Sky Sports.
“That’s the job done, I’m number one in the world, but tonight there’s a more important match.
“I’m the best in the world. Whatever happens, I’ve said all year that Luke Humphries is the best in the world.
“It doesn’t matter if you fall in the first, second or third round, you are the best in the world.”
At just 18 years old, Littler will become the youngest PDC world number one, surpassing Michael van Gerwen, who achieved the feat at the age of 24 in 2014.
Rankings are determined by the amount of prize money a player has won in ranking tournaments over a two-year period.
Littler had to overcome a slow start and a fast start from Noppert in their semi-final and found themselves down 8-6.
However, he bounced back in impressive style, winning 10 of the next 11 stages and finishing with an average of 102.62 to complete his rise to the top of world darts.
Humphries held on to the number one spot for a little longer with a superb performance to beat Gerwyn Price 16-13 in a thrilling first semi-final.
The 2024 world champion averaged 106.25 and hit 16.180 and, with the rankings not officially updated until midnight, will have a chance to overtake defending champion Littler in his final match as world number one tonight.
