Luke Littler celebrated becoming the youngest PDC world number one 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, whom he replaced at the summit. Littler secured 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 seemed inevitable since his record-breaking run to the final of the 2024 world championship. He became the youngest world champion a year later and has since become a global star, transcending the sport. He now beats the record of previous youngest world number one Michael van Gerwen, who was 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.' After beating Humphries in the final, he added: 'No one, me, Luke, we're never ever going to run away with anything. It's always going to be close.'
The decisive passage of play came when Littler checked out a 167 to level at 8-8 and then took out 160 to lead 11-9. His 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 starts 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. '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!'
