Luke Littler Immediately Overtaken by New PDC Star After Winning Tour Card
Luke Littler barely had time to celebrate another milestone in his rapidly accelerating career before a new name emerged to edge past him in the PDC record books.
The reigning world champion, who continues to redefine what is possible at such a young age, was briefly recognised as the youngest active PDC Tour Card holder after securing his place on the professional circuit. However, that distinction did not last long.
Belgian teenager Yorick Hofkens has now overtaken Littler by becoming the youngest current Tour Card holder on the PDC circuit, edging the English sensation by several months after an impressive showing at European Q-School .
A record broken almost instantly
Hofkens, who turned heads with a series of mature and composed performances against experienced opposition, earned his Tour Card via the EU Q-School system. In doing so, the 18-year-old became five months younger than Littler at the time of holding a Tour Card, instantly rewriting the age-related record.
The achievement underlines just how competitive and youth-driven modern darts has become, with teenagers increasingly capable of competing at professional level.
No setback for Littler
While the headline may suggest Littler has been “overtaken,” the reality is far less dramatic. The record is purely statistical and has no bearing on performance, ranking or achievement.
Littler remains one of the most dominant figures in the sport, already boasting a World Championship title, multiple major trophies and one of the highest profiles darts has ever seen at his age. His rise has been accompanied by lucrative sponsorship deals and global recognition, cementing his status as the face of a new generation.
A sign of darts’ changing landscape
Hofkens’ emergence serves as further evidence of the sport’s shifting landscape, where elite-level preparation, youth academies and increased exposure are producing younger and younger professionals capable of stepping straight onto the big stage.
For Littler, the loss of a minor age record is unlikely to register. His focus remains firmly on trophies, titles and longevity at the top of the game — areas where he continues to set the standard.
As for Hofkens, the challenge now is to turn a notable statistic into sustained success on tour. If his Q-School performances are any indication, darts fans may be hearing his name far more often in the months and years ahead.
