Luke Littler has etched his name in darts history by becoming the youngest ever PDC world No. 1 following a stunning victory at the Grand Slam of Darts. The 18-year-old confirmed his top-ranking status with a semi-final win over Danny Noppert before defeating his long-time rival, Luke Humphries, 16-11 in the final.
Littler’s rise has been meteoric. Bursting onto the professional scene with a record-breaking run to the 2024 World Championship final, he followed it up by becoming the youngest world champion a year later. His rapid ascent has made him one of the most talked-about talents in the sport, achieving global recognition while still in his teens.
By surpassing Michael van Gerwen, who first topped the rankings at age 24 in 2014, Littler has redefined what it means to be young and dominant in darts. Reflecting on his achievement, Littler said: “It’s not even been two years on tour and I am already world No. 1. That is job done. I am the best in the world.”
The final against Humphries was a showcase of skill and nerves, with Littler hitting a decisive 167 checkout to level the match at 8-8 before taking out 160 to lead 11-9. His audacious play left Humphries visibly stunned as the teenager surged to his fifth major title of the year.
Humphries, who had earlier beaten Gerwyn Price to reach the final, remains a formidable competitor. He has the chance to reclaim the top ranking at the upcoming World Championship, provided Littler exits early. Humphries admitted, “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.”
The Littler-Humphries rivalry is rapidly becoming one of the defining stories in darts, comparable to major rivalries in tennis and golf. With multiple major finals already contested this year, fans can expect more electrifying clashes as both young stars continue to push each other to new heights.
Littler’s dominance at such a young age signals a new era in professional darts, and his blend of composure and precision suggests he could remain at the top for years to come.
