**Luke Littler Denied Chance to Close Rankings Gap on Luke Humphries by PDC Rule**
Luke Littler was unable to narrow the £573,000 gap to world No. 1 Luke Humphries in the PDC Order of Merit following his 11-8 loss in the 2025 Premier League Darts final on May 29, 2025, at London’s O2 Arena, due to a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) rule, per Express.co.uk. The rule, which excludes Premier League prize money from the Order of Merit, blocked Littler from landing a significant blow in their rankings race, mirroring the resilience of athletes like Jack Draper navigating personal challenges at the 2025 French Open.
**PDC Rule and Its Impact**
The Premier League, with a £1 million prize pot, is not a ranking tournament under PDC rules, meaning its £275,000 winner’s purse (won by Humphries) and Littler’s £125,000 runner-up prize do not count toward the Order of Merit, per Express.co.uk. This rule, designed to maintain focus on ranked events like the World Championship, prevented Littler from cutting into Humphries’ £1.9 million lead, per GBNews.com. Littler, who earned £60,000 in weekly bonuses for six nightly wins, remains No. 2 with £1.3 million, per Express.co.uk. Fans on X, like @DExpress_Sport, noted the rule’s impact, saying it denied Littler a chance to “hurt” Humphries, per.
**The Final and Littler’s Performance**
Littler, the 2024 Premier League champion, led 3-0 with a 95.27 average but faltered after a draft discussion at 5-5 disrupted focus, per Express.co.uk. Humphries, averaging 92.6, capitalized with a 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5) and an 11-darter to lead 8-6, clinching victory on double 10, per BBC Sport. Littler’s 5/19 double accuracy and missed darts at D10 and D5 were decisive, per Telegraph.co.uk. His semi-final win over Gerwyn Price (10-7, 104.64 average) showed his form, despite a foam finger incident, per BBC Sport. Humphries’ win, his first Premier League title, completed darts’ triple crown, per BBC.com.[]
**Rankings Race Context**
Littler’s 2025 World Championship title added £500,000 to his earnings, but Humphries’ 2024 World Championship £500,000 keeps him ahead, per Express.co.uk. Littler, eyeing the No. 1 spot, noted in March, “If Humphries doesn’t defend his Worlds money, that’s my chance,” per Express.co.uk. The Masters in January 2025, where prize money counts toward rankings, offers Littler a level playing field, as neither defends cash, per Express.co.uk. Humphries, however, must defend titles like the 2023 World Grand Prix later in 2025, per Express.co.uk.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2061741/luke-littler-luke-humphries-pdc-premier-league-darts)[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2061741/luke-littler-luke-humphries-pdc-premier-league-darts)[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2007490/masters-darts-rule-change-luke-humphries-luke-littler)
**Littler’s Mindset and Future**
Littler’s post-final vow to “break his own records” reflects his hunger, per Express.co.uk. His 2025 season, with 45 Premier League points and a 140.91 set average record at the World Championship, cements his status, per Wikipedia.org. Humphries praised Littler’s form, saying, “He’s playing the best darts,” per Express.co.uk, while their 23-match rivalry (Littler leads 13-10) promises more battles, per BBC.com. Littler’s decision to join Humphries at the World Cup of Darts in June 2025, despite skipping other German events, shows commitment, per Express.co.uk.
**Parallels to Draper’s Resilience**
Littler’s setback mirrors Jack Draper’s confession about the “lonely” tennis tour at the 2025 French Open, where he and Emma Raducanu bonded over shared struggles, per Express.co.uk. Like Draper’s third-round win over Gael Monfils, Littler’s semi-final triumph and bold vow show perseverance, per TheGuardian.com. Similar to Coco Gauff’s grit, Novak Djokovic’s health crisis response, and Aryna Sabalenka’s Djokovic defense, Littler’s focus under pressure stands out, per Sportskeeda.com.
**Conclusion**
A PDC rule blocked Luke Littler from closing the £573,000 gap to Luke Humphries in the 2025 Premier League final on May 29, 2025, as its £125,000 prize didn’t count toward the Order of Merit, per Express.co.uk. Littler’s 11-8 loss, marred by a draft distraction, fueled his vow to break records, per Express.co.uk. Like Draper’s French Open resolve, Gauff’s attitude, Djokovic’s grit, and Sabalenka’s passion, Littler’s ambition shines. He and Humphries face off at the World Cup of Darts in June, live on Sky Sports.[]
