How can the best darts player in the world not be No. 1? Luke Littler keeps winning, yet Humphries still leads the rankings

Luke Littler made history this week as he completed the elusive Triple Crown, winning the World Championship, Premier League and now the World Matchplay. In doing so he became the youngest player ever to achieve this, and only the fifth player to do so in the history of the sport.

His latest triumph came at the famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool, where he went toe to toe with ‘The Machine’ James Wade in the final. Littler who didn’t get off to the best started falling behind five legs to nil, battled back to come out victorious with a 18-3 win. The game was the most watched final since Phil Taylors victory back in 2013, the year he picked up title 14 at the Winter Gardens.

Littler’s come back in the final was something we saw throughout the tournament, coming from seven-two down to defeat Jermaine Wattimena and six-one down to beat Josh Rock. In his semi final match up Littler produced a stunning nine darter that shifted momentum and inevitably pushed Littler through to his first Matchplay final.

Darts fans all over the world are already calling him the best darts player in the world, and with his form over the last 18 months it’s hard to argue differently. He’s completed the Triple Crown, taken down the best players in the world on the biggest stages, breaking records along the way.

Despite all his achievements, the young phenomenon is still not officially world No.1 with World Cup teammate Luke Humphries taking that title. The PDC’s ranking system is based on prize money won over a two-year period, and Littler has not officially been on the tour for 2 years, meaning he’s playing catch up.

Earning roughly £1.5 million since January 2024, its fair to say that Littler is chasing that elusive title of World No.1 and is not far from doing so. Littler’s Premier League earnings of half a million pounds in the last two years are not included in earnings on the PDCs order of merit.