Luke 'The Nuke' Littler has officially become the world's best darts player, securing the PDC world number one ranking for the first time in his meteoric career. The 18-year-old prodigy achieved the landmark feat by defeating Danny Noppert 16-9 in a thrilling semi-final at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.
The Path to the PDC Summit
Littler's ascent to the top comes less than two years after he turned professional, marking one of the most rapid rises in the sport's history. He clinched the number one spot by guaranteeing himself at least £70,000 in prize money from the tournament, enough to surpass his rival, Luke Humphries, in the PDC Order of Merit.
This means he will defend his World Darts Championship title at Alexandra Palace in December as the officially ranked best player on the planet. The achievement is particularly sweet for Littler, who missed a chance to claim the top ranking last month after a surprise defeat to James Wade at the European Championships.
A Dramatic Semi-Final Comeback
The match against Noppert was a true test of character for the young champion. Littler found himself in a tough battle, trailing the Dutchman at the mid-game interval. However, he demonstrated incredible resilience, winning 10 of the final 11 legs to secure a decisive 16-9 victory.
A pivotal moment came just after the break when Littler stunned his opponent with a brilliant 128 checkout, seizing the momentum and never looking back. Noppert, who had been averaging an impressive 107 in the early stages, began to falter as Littler turned on the style, gradually pulling away to book his place in the final.
Littler's Message and The Final Showdown
After his historic win, Littler delivered a powerful, seven-word assessment of his new status: "Now world number one but got a bigger match tonight." He acknowledged the significance of his achievement, stating, "It's not even been two years. I haven't spent two years on the tour and I'm already world number one."
His focus immediately shifted to the final, where he will face Luke Humphries in a highly anticipated repeat of their previous clashes. The winner will take home the Grand Slam of Darts title and a £150,000 prize. Littler remains undefeated in the tournament and is aiming to win it back-to-back.
In the other semi-final, Humphries earned his place by defeating Gerwyn Price 16-13, showcasing a stunning average of over 106. This sets up another epic 'Luke vs Luke' final, a rivalry that continues to captivate the darts world.
