At just 18, Luke Littler, the darts prodigy known as “The Nuke,” is on the cusp of rewriting the sport’s hierarchy. Fresh off a dramatic 8-7 victory over Josh Rock in the 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy final in Antwerp, Littler has narrowed the gap to world No. 1 Luke Humphries to just £249,750 in the PDC Order of Merit, sparking bold predictions that he could claim the top spot before the 2025 World Darts Championship. His relentless scoring and composure under pressure have pundits and fans alike envisioning a future where the teenager dethrones Humphries, cementing his status as darts’ brightest star.
Littler’s Antwerp triumph was a testament to his extraordinary talent. Facing a formidable field, he averaged over 100 in three of his five matches, including a blistering 110.33 against Ryan Searle in the third round. Trailing 5-2 in the final against Rock, Littler staged a stunning comeback, reeling off four consecutive legs and sealing the £30,000 prize with an 11-darter on double 18. “It wasn’t easy up there,” Littler admitted, reflecting on his ability to find rhythm against tough opponents. His performance added a fourth European Tour title to his growing resume, following wins at the Belgian Darts Open, Austrian Darts Open, and Poland Darts Masters. This latest victory, coupled with his World Matchplay and World Championship titles, has positioned him as only the fifth player to complete darts’ Triple Crown, joining legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Humphries.
The race for world No. 1 is heating up as Littler capitalizes on a favorable schedule. The PDC Order of Merit, based on prize money earned over a two-year period, sees Littler at £1,533,000, trailing Humphries’ £1,782,750 as of September 1, 2025. Unlike Humphries, who must defend hefty sums from his 2023 successes—including the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship Finals—Littler’s earnings are pure profit until December, as he didn’t compete in major events in 2023. “I’ve learned a lot. Last year in the semi-finals against Rob Cross, that was the first time I was 1-0 down, then obviously against Luke,” Littler said, referencing his 7-4 loss to Humphries in the 2024 World Championship final. That defeat, which he rewatched hours before his 2025 title win over Van Gerwen, fueled his hunger. “Obviously the D2 [miss] was huge because I said to my family ‘if I’m 5-2 up then I’m pretty much the world champion’ but Luke won the next five sets,” he added, highlighting his growth.
Humphries, the reigning world No. 1, has faced challenges in 2025. A first-round exit at the World Matchplay cost him £40,000, while a 6-0 quarter-final loss to Mike De Decker at the Australian Darts Masters exposed vulnerabilities. “I think the last two months it has been hard work,” Humphries admitted after a lackluster 89.47 average in New Zealand. Despite his US Darts Masters win, his form has been inconsistent, making Littler’s surge all the more threatening. Pundits like Mark Webster believe Littler’s momentum could see him overtake Humphries at the World Grand Prix (October 6-12), especially if he wins the £120,000 top prize and Humphries falters early. “My winner is Luke Littler. I just think he will be hurt from what happened last year,” Webster predicted, envisioning a semi-final showdown where Littler edges out Humphries.
Littler’s 2025 season has been a masterclass: a 107.24 average in the World Matchplay final against James Wade, a televised nine-darter against Van Gerwen in the Premier League, and a 16-3 rout of Martin Lukeman in the Grand Slam of Darts. His World Series wins in Australia and New Zealand, though non-ranking, underscore his global dominance. “It feels great. I didn’t play that well last night, but I played very well tonight when it really mattered,” Littler said after Australia. With five Players Championship events and three European Tour events before the World Grand Prix, Littler’s consistency—evidenced by a 56 percent checkout rate in the World Championship and 17 180s in Blackpool—positions him to close the gap further.
The darts world is captivated by Littler’s fearless approach. “Luke has been an unbelievable talent,” Humphries said after their 2024 final, acknowledging the teenager’s impact. At 18, Littler’s ability to dispatch veterans like Van Gerwen, whom he beat 7-3 in the 2025 World Championship final, has drawn comparisons to sporting prodigies like Tiger Woods. As he prepares for the Jack’s Casino World Series of Darts Finals (September 12-14), a non-ranking event, Littler’s focus remains razor-sharp. With Humphries under pressure to defend his 2023 earnings, Littler’s ascent to world No. 1 seems not just possible but inevitable, heralding a new era in darts.
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