LUKE Littler will be the world’s number one darts player if he successfully defends the Grand Slam of Darts event that is currently being played in Wolverhampton.
The Warrington teenager rounded off a clean sweep of Group E as he brushed aside Daryl Gurney sealing him top spot as he continues his charge to try and defend his title.
Littler finished top of Group E on Tuesday night when his 5-1 thumping of World Cup winner Gurney followed up Sunday’s 5-3 victory over Connor Scutt and Saturday’s 5-1 demolition of Czech number one Karel Sedlacek.
Gurney was already out of the tournament and it showed, with Littler trying to play the showman by consistently setting up the 170 but ‘The Nuke’ could not find the moment to set the crowd alight.
The 18-year-old will go top of the PDC world rankings if the current number one Luke Humphries does not win the Grand Slam of Darts event.
Whether Littler progresses through to Sunday’s final or not does not impact on that position but the youngest ever world champion will be aiming to take pole position off his World Cup partner in style by successfully defending a major title for the first time.
‘The Nuke’ has had no joy so far in 2025 in retaining any of the top-line silverware he won during his first full season as a professional, but he has already struck gold this year in four majors including the UK Open, the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix.
He has now put himself on track to bring the coveted Eric Bristow Trophy home to Warrington again by reaching the knockout rounds thanks to his three wins in the group stage.
As a result he now faces Group F runner-up Wessel Nijman in the quarter-finals on Thursday night.
Nice to finish top of the group with 3 wins. all about the knockouts now🎯☢️ pic.twitter.com/OkkrwBpyQc
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) November 11, 2025
