Luke Littler will become world number one for the first time after booking his place in the Grand Slam of Darts final in Wolverhampton.
The world champion’s 16-9 victory over the Netherlands’ Danny Noppert means he will overtake rival Luke Humphries to top the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world rankings regardless of the result of Sunday evening’s final.
At just 18, Littler will become the youngest PDC world number one, surpassing Michael van Gerwen who achieved the feat aged 24 in 2014.
Littler’s earnings over the two-year period that determine the Order of Merit total £1,770,500 after making the final, a figure that will rise to £1,850,000 if he wins.
With Humphries defending the money he won from triumphing in this tournament in 2023, even if he lifts the trophy again, he will have earned £1,769,000 – just short of fellow Englishman Littler.
“It is has not even been two years that I’ve been on the tour and I’m already world number one,” Littler told Sky Sports.
“That is job done – I am world number one – but there is a bigger match tonight.
“I am the best in the world. No matter what, I’ve said it throughout the year that Luke Humphries is the best in the world.
“No matter if you go out in the first, second or third round you are the best in the world.”
