LUKE LITTLER is the new world No.1 in darts – 22 months after he turned professional.
The Nuke’s ascent from amateur star to the top of the world rankings in less than two years is perhaps the most remarkable rise in the sport’s history.
In December 2023, Littler entered the PDC World Darts Championship at Ally Pally for the first time, having just lifted the world youth title as a relative unknown, and one month shy of his 17th birthday.
Now, he is officially the best player on the planet, though some would argue he had already confirmed that status when he lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy earlier this year.
Tomorrow he will replace adversary Luke Humphries at the top of the PDC world list by virtue of reaching the Grand Slam of Darts final.
A hard-fought 16-9 victory over Dutchman Danny Noppert secured his place in tonight’s showdown against Humphries.
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But whatever happens, even if he fails to defend the Eric Bristow Trophy in Wolverhampton and Cool Hand Luke is the victor, Littler will still be crowned the main man come Monday morning.
Littler, who averaged 102.62, gave a little smirk when he hit the winning double top and channeled his inter Muhammad Ali, who once screamed “I am the Greatest” when he won the heavyweight boxing title in the 1960s.
In the past he had refused to say he was the “best” in interviews, even as he lifted title after title, because he was always statistically behind Humphries – not anymore.
The Warrington teenager said: “It’s not even been two years.
“I’ve not even spent two years on the tour and I am already world No.1.
“That is job done, now world No.1. But we have got a bigger match later on tonight.
“Well, I am the best in the world. No matter, I have said it throughout the year.
“Luke Humphries has been the best in the world, no matter if he goes out in the first round or second round, No.1 means you are the best in the world.”
Aged 18, he has the world No.1 spot, the world title and banked more than £1.7million in ranking prize money within two seasons – nobody has done anything like that before on the oche, especially so young.
His semi-final clash did not start well as he fell 2-0 down to Noppert after being distracted by some commotion in the crowd in leg one.
Noppert, 34, led 3-1 but then Littler hit back to go 4-3 up with a stunning 145 checkout on double top.
At the second TV break, Noppert led 6-4 and then 8-7 at the next hiatus but Littler was just warming up for the fightback.
At one point he teased the crowd by not throwing for the Bull when 170 was left as he wanted to set up the double with his next visit.
A scream of “come on” followed his Bull finish on 65 to go 10-9 up and given he was six legs away from victory that proved to be a key moment.
Former UK Open champion Noppert did not win a single leg after that, losing in a fifth TV semi-final major this year.
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Littler will now face Humphries, 30, for the £153,500 top prize – that figure includes a £3,500 group bonus – but the real battle with the other Luke has already been won.
As the crowd pointed out, as he celebrated a 13th successive Grand Slam win, we are all just “Walking in a Littler Wonderland”.
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