The meteoric rise of teenage darts sensation Luke “The Nuke” Littler has hit a minor snag, as the reigning World Darts Champion has slipped out of the top ten in a specific, yet significant, ranking system. This unexpected shift in the PDC ProTour Rankings highlights a different kind of challenge for the young star, who continues to dominate the sport’s more prominent hierarchy.
While the wider darts world recognizes the PDC World Rankings, which are based on prize money earned over a two-year period, as the true measure of a player’s standing, the ProTour Rankings focus on a more recent 12-month window. It is within this shorter timeframe that Littler’s strategic, more selective approach to tournament play has seen his position shift. The 18-year-old, who clinched the world title earlier this year, has consciously chosen to participate in fewer tournaments in 2025, a decision that, while understandable, has an immediate impact on his ProTour standing.
The consequence of this selective schedule is that Littler now finds himself in 11th place on the ProTour list, with his prize money tally sitting at £136,500. This is a stark contrast to his position in the main PDC World Rankings, where he is a dominant second, trailing only the world number one, Luke Humphries, by a considerable margin. Littler’s success in major events, including his victories at the World Matchplay and UK Open, has cemented his high placement in the main rankings, where he has amassed over £1.5 million in prize money over the past two years.
This duality in his rankings illustrates a fascinating point about his career trajectory. His focus on the biggest stages and most lucrative events is paying off in a huge way. He is, by all accounts, on an almost unprecedented earnings path for a player so young, closing the gap on Humphries and demonstrating an incredible ability to perform when it matters most. However, the ProTour rankings reflect the grind of the circuit, the consistent accumulation of prize money from a high volume of events. It is a testament to the sheer depth of talent on the tour that a player of Littler’s calibre can be surpassed in this particular metric.
Leading the charge in the ProTour rankings is a surprise name that has proven the value of consistent, high-level play. England’s Stephen Bunting now holds the top spot, having accumulated a staggering £192,000 in prize money over the past year. Bunting’s impressive run includes victories at the Bahrain and Nordic Masters, showcasing the kind of consistent performance that the ProTour rankings are designed to reward. Following Bunting are Germany’s Martin Schindler and Wales’ Gerwyn Price, solidifying a new-look top three on this specific list.
Despite the drop in this one ranking system, there is no cause for concern for Littler or his legion of fans. As one official put it, Littler’s position “isn’t at risk of any meaningful consequences,” as qualification for major events like the World Darts Championship, World Matchplay, and World Grand Prix is more directly determined by the main PDC World Rankings, where he remains a formidable presence.
Littler’s recent form, despite his selective schedule, has also been impressive. He reached the final of the World Series of Darts, where he was ultimately defeated by a resurgent Michael van Gerwen. Post-match, Littler was magnanimous, praising his opponent’s return to form. “It was another good tournament for myself,” he reflected, before adding, “Michael was playing some of his best darts this weekend. It’s good to see him back. He’s had a tough time, but if he keeps playing like that, we’re going to have some great battles.”
In a career already packed with record-breaking achievements, including becoming the youngest World Champion, Littler’s temporary slip in one ranking list is a minor footnote. It serves as a reminder of the different facets of professional darts—the prize-money-fueled hierarchy of the main tour versus the sustained, event-by-event consistency rewarded by the ProTour. For now, Littler remains firmly focused on the big prizes, with a clear sightline on eventually overtaking his rival, Luke Humphries, to become the undisputed world number one. His journey is far from over, and every step, even a minor stumble in the rankings, is part of a compelling narrative.
Leave a Reply