Michael van Gerwen virtually back to World Number One; four players in running for top spot at PDC World Darts Championship

Michael van Gerwen is currently in pole position to lead the PDC Order of Merit again after the World Darts Championship. 'Mighty Mike' led the PDC Order of Merit from early January 2014 to early January 2021, but then lost the lead position to several rivals.

Since then Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Michael Smith have taken the number one spot. Smith entered the World Darts Championship as number one in the world, but 'Bullyboy' looks to lose this position should he not become world champion again.

Officially, four players still have a chance at the number-one position at the World Darts Championship. If Van Gerwen, Smith or Humphries becomes world champion, then this player is also certain to lead the PDC order of Merit after the tournament in Alexandra Palace. The chance of Price becoming the new world number one is a lot smaller. 'The Iceman' must then become world champion, and moreover Van Gerwen (maximum third round), Smith (maximum fourth round) and Humphries (maximum semifinal) may then not get too far.

Looking a little lower on the rankings, Peter Wright has already dropped four places. At the World Darts Championship, the two-time world champion had to defend his world title from two years ago, but already lost in the second round. He is now eighth in the world rankings. James Wade also took a slight dip after his early exit, falling back six places. He finds himself in 19th position. Gary Anderson also had to drop six places in the virtual world rankings, but the Scot is still competing in the World Darts Championship.

Scott Williams (+13), Ricky Evans (+8), Matt Campbell (+10), Boris Krcmar (+11) and Cameron Menzies (+9) are making huge jumps. That comes at the expense, among others, of Mervyn King, who has dropped no less than 22 spots on the PDC Order of Merit. King did not qualify for the World Darts Championship, but narrowly keeps his PDC Tour Card.

Jeffrey de Graaf and Luke Littler have already moved up as many as 66 spots by reaching the third round. However, they need to reach at least the semifinals to maintain a position in the world rankings, as they both do not have a Tour Card at the time of the World Darts Championship. After the World Darts Championship, all players without a Tour Card will be removed from the rankings. A semifinal finish will put De Graaf and Littler in the top-64 of the PDC Order of Merit, allowing them to receive a Tour Card via that route.