Michael Smith can strengthen World Number One spot ahead of Michael van Gerwen; debut in top-10 beckons for Joe Cullen

Michael van Gerwen had set himself the goal of becoming number one in the world again on the PDC Order of Merit this season, but that task has become a lot harder after his elimination at the World Grand Prix.

Van Gerwen lost in the first round of the World Grand Prix two years ago and thus had no prize money to defend. However, the same was true of current world number one Michael Smith.

Unlike Van Gerwen, however, Smith managed to qualify for the quarterfinals of the double-in double-out tournament. So 'Bullyboy' will have a chance to further extend his lead over the Dutchman in the coming days. The lead is a virtual 175,500 pounds. Should Smith take the title in Leicester, this lead increases to 270,500 pounds.

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However, Van Gerwen retaining his second spot in the world rankings is not yet certain either. Peter Wright can relegate him to third place if 'Snakebite' runs off with the title at the World Grand Prix. Number four Gerwyn Price will want to try to narrow his large gap to the top three.

Luke Humphries has passed compatriot Nathan Aspinall on the PDC Order of Merit thanks to reaching the quarter-finals. If Humphries takes his first major title at the World Grand Prix, he will also pass Price.

Joe Cullen has now moved up to 11th in the rankings and may dream of a debut in the top-10 of the world rankings. For that, 'The Rockstar' still needs a win over Chris Dobey in the last eight.

Dobey surprisingly won over Van Gerwen on Thursday night and has now climbed to eighteenth place. 'Hollywood' could possibly climb further to twelfth position with a title.

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Andrew Gilding has already gained three places on the PDC Order of Merit and is now the virtual No. 20 player in the world. If Gilding wins the double-in double-out tournament, "Goldfinger" will enter the top-16 in the world rankings for the first time.

Martin Schindler's victory over Stephen Bunting at the World Grand Prix also had the effect of passing him in the world rankings. Should Schindler manage to reach the final, he will become the highest-ranked German on the PDC Order of Merit. That is currently Gabriel Clemens, who is still 17,500 pounds ahead of "The Wall.

Luke Woodhouse is the biggest riser on the PDC Order of Merit for now. Woodhouse made his debut at the World Grand Prix and managed to make it to the second round with a handsome win over Chisnall. He has gained four spots in the rankings and is now 40th in the world rankings.

The biggest loser in the world rankings is Ian White. 'The Diamond' was in the quarter-finals two years ago, but is missing from this edition. The prize money earned from his participation in 2021 disappears from the rankings, causing White to drop eight spots and is now 54th.

Virtual PDC Order of Merit after second round World Grand Prix (source Dartsrankings.com)