Luke Littler, the 18-year-old PDC World Champion, has surged to the top of the PDC’s alternative world rankings, which assess players based on their performance over the last 200 legs played, leaving world No. 1 Luke Humphries in third place. This shift, highlighted in recent form guides, reflects Littler’s exceptional consistency and scoring prowess in 2025, bolstered by his 2025 World Championship title and multiple victories, including the UK Open and Grand Slam of Darts. Littler’s average exceeds 100 across his recent legs, showcasing his dominance despite being ranked No. 4 on the official two-year Order of Merit.
Humphries, who reclaimed the world No. 1 spot after defending his 2024 World Championship title, has seen his form dip relatively, placing him behind Littler and another rising star in this alternative metric. The reigning Premier League and World Matchplay champion’s third-place standing underscores the volatility of short-term rankings, where his recent performances, including a Players Championship Finals win, haven’t matched Littler’s current momentum. Posts found on X echo this sentiment, with fans noting Littler’s ascent as a sign of his growing influence.
This alternative ranking, updated as of July 18, 2025, highlights the tight competition between the two Lukes, who have split multiple high-profile finals. As they prepare for the World Matchplay starting July 19, Littler’s lead in this form guide suggests he could challenge Humphries’ top spot if his streak continues.