Luke Littler Blocked from Overtaking Luke Humphries’ World No. 1 Ranking by PDC Rule
Luke Littler was prevented from surpassing Luke Humphries as the world No. 1 in the PDC Order of Merit due to a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) rule governing ranking points, despite his strong position to close the gap after the 2025 Masters. The rule, tied to the two-year rolling prize money system, limited Littler’s ability to overtake Humphries at this stage.
Details of the PDC Rule and Impact
The PDC Order of Merit ranks players based on prize money earned over a two-year period, with points from tournaments two years prior dropping off as new earnings are added. After Littler’s 2025 World Darts Championship win, earning him £500,000, he narrowed the gap to Humphries, the world No. 1, to just over £650,000. However, at the 2025 Masters, Littler had no ranking points to defend from 2023, as he wasn’t a PDC Tour cardholder then, while Humphries also had no 2023 Masters points to lose, having not competed. This meant neither player gained a significant ranking advantage, blocking Littler from landing a “painful blow” by overtaking Humphries, as reported by Express Sport. Humphries needed to match or outdo Littler’s Masters performance to maintain his lead, which he did, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Michael van Gerwen, while Littler exited in the quarter-finals against Nathan Aspinall.
**Context of Littler’s 2025 Season**
Littler, now 18, has had a meteoric rise, winning the 2025 World Championship against van Gerwen, becoming the youngest PDC world champion at 17 years and 347 days. His 2024 debut season included titles in the Premier League, Grand Slam of Darts, and UK Open, propelling him to No. 2 in the world. Despite his £500,000 World Championship haul, Humphries’ consistent 2024, with wins in the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam, and Players Championship Finals, kept him ahead. The Masters, with a £100,000 top prize, was a chance for Littler to close the gap, but the PDC’s rule ensured Humphries’ lead held firm.
**Littler vs. Humphries Rivalry**
The rivalry between Littler and Humphries has intensified since Littler’s 2024 World Championship final loss to Humphries. In 2025, Littler’s Premier League dominance, including a record six nightly wins and a 6-3 victory over Humphries in Sheffield, showcased his edge. However, Humphries’ resilience, despite needing to defend 2023 prize money from three major wins, kept him atop the rankings. Humphries acknowledged Littler’s pressure, saying, “Luke’s chasing me, but I’m still the one to beat,” while Littler remained focused, stating, “I’m just playing my game, the rankings will sort themselves.”
**Connection to Other Sports Narratives**
Littler’s blocked ranking leap mirrors Gerwyn Price’s past constraints, like his 2018 DRA sanctions, limiting his momentum. Similarly, Alex de Minaur’s ATP scheduling frustrations and Alexander Zverev’s Grand Slam critiques reflect systemic barriers, as do Jack Grealish’s transfer hurdles and Emma Raducanu’s adaptation struggles. Littler’s rivalry with Humphries, like Price’s with Littler, fuels his drive.
**Conclusion**
A PDC rule on the two-year Order of Merit system stopped Luke Littler from overtaking Luke Humphries as world No. 1 after the 2025 Masters, as neither had 2023 points to defend, maintaining Humphries’ £650,000 lead. Littler’s World Championship triumph and Premier League success keep him close, but Humphries’ consistency holds firm. Like Price, de Minaur, Zverev, Grealish, and Raducanu, Littler faces structural challenges but remains a formidable contender in his rivalry with Humphries.
