Luke Littler becomes youngest PDC world No 1 on way to Grand Slam of Darts glory

Luke Littler celebrated becoming the world No 1 by winning the Grand Slam of Darts. The 18-year-old’s ascent to the top of the rankings was confirmed with his semi-final win against Danny Noppert earlier on Sunday.

That victory set up another titanic battle in the final with his great rival Luke Humphries, who he replaced at the summit. Littler flexed his muscles with a 16-11 triumph to become just the fourth man to defend the title in Wolverhampton.

Littler’s position at the top of the rankings has seemingly been a foregone conclusion ever since he burst on to the scene with his record-breaking run to the final of the 2024 world championship. He became the youngest world champion a year later and has gone on to become a global star, transcending the sport.

Littler is now officially the youngest best player in the world, beating the record of the previous youngest Michael van Gerwen, who was a relatively senior 24 when he first topped the rankings in 2014.

Speaking after reaching the final, Littler said: “It’s not even been two years, I have not even spent two years on tour and I am already world No 1. “That is job done, now I am world No 1.

“I am the best in the world. I have said it throughout the year. Luke Humphries has been the best in the world. It doesn’t matter if you go out in the first round or second round, if you’re No 1, you’re the best in the world.”

He added after beating Humphries in the final: “No one, me, Luke, we’re never ever going to run away with anything. It’s always going to be close.”

This rivalry is up there with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in tennis or golf’s Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in terms of being so clear of everyone else in their sport. And they delivered another epic major final – their fourth of the year – on Sunday evening, with Littler emerging victorious.

Luke Humphries reacts during his loss to Luke Littler in the final. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

The decisive passage of play came when he checked out a 167 to level at 8-8 and then took out 160 to lead 11-9. Littler’s audacity left Humphries mock-punching his World Cup teammate in the side of the head as the pair left the stage at a break. The teenager did not look back as he raced to his fifth major of the year.

Humphries, who earlier beat Gerwyn Price to reach the final, can regain top spot at the world championship, which gets under way next month, if he wins and Littler goes out early.

“This is the last day as No 1, I’ve been so happy and proud of myself,” Humphries said during his on-stage interview. “When it gets to the worlds, I’ve got one opportunity to take it back from him. I’ll be fighting hard, it’s a war now!”