PDC Order of Merit Update: Luke Littler builds historic gap to Luke Humphries as dominance takes hold, Peter Wright & Michael Smith clinging onto top-32

Luke Littler has firmly strengthened his top spot on the PDC Order of Merit by winning his second world title at the World Darts Championship. “The Nuke” was dominant on Saturday night in the world final against Gian van Veen.

The 18-year-old Englishman had already cruised into the World Darts Championship final after victories over Darius Labanauskas (3-0), David Davies (3-0), Mensur Suljovic (4-0), Rob Cross (4-2), Krzysztof Ratajski (5-0), and Ryan Searle (6-1). Against Van Veen, Littler initially fell one set behind, after which Van Veen missed a single chance at double 8 to go 2-0 up. That proved very costly, as Littler then reeled off seven sets in a row to convincingly win the final 7-1.

It is a historic world title, as Littler is the first darts player ever to earn one million pounds in prize money with a world title. That immediately brings another unique feat, because Littler is the first player to stand on the PDC Order of Merit with more than two million pounds.

That record is immediately robust, as Littler tops the rankings with £2,770,500 and can therefore try next season to become the first darts player with more than three million pounds in prize money. Littler now has a commanding lead over number two Luke Humphries, who sits on £1,172,000, some way less than even half of Littler’s tally.

Behind the two Lukes, the two Dutchmen Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen complete the top four of the world rankings. For the first time since October 2012, Van Gerwen is no longer the highest-ranked Dutchman. He has been overtaken by Van Veen, who ultimately came one win short of capturing the world title at Alexandra Palace.

The 23-year-old nevertheless enjoyed a superb tournament with wins over Cristo Reyes (3-1), Alan Soutar (3-1), Madars Razma (4-1), Charlie Manby (4-1), Luke Humphries (5-1), and Gary Anderson (6-3). His run to the final earned him £400,000 in prize money.

On £912,500, Van Veen now holds a significant lead over fourth-placed Van Gerwen, who sits on £691,250. For “Mighty Mike,” 2026 will also be a crucial year, as Van Gerwen must try to defend a large chunk of his prize money this season.

Other top players who have made big moves on the PDC Order of Merit are Gary Anderson and Ryan Searle. Both reached the semi-finals of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship. Searle’s result in particular was a surprise, as the Englishman had never gone beyond the fourth round before. It earned “Heavy Metal” £200,000 in prize money and a jump from 20th to 8th in the rankings. That secures Searle a place in almost all televised events in 2026 and allows him to start Euro Tour events from the second round.

Sixth place in the world rankings is now held by Anderson, who has climbed eight spots compared to his starting position before the World Darts Championship. “The Flying Scotsman” still has Jonny Clayton ahead of him. The Welshman, however, holds only a £15,500 lead over Anderson.

Other climbers inside the top 16 are Josh Rock and Nathan Aspinall. Rock has risen from 11th to 9th, and Aspinall has gained one place to 14th. Due to the significant surges by Searle and Anderson, many others have had to give up positions.

A major loser is Stephen Bunting, who slipped from fourth to seventh. Danny Noppert (-4), James Wade (-4), Gerwyn Price (-3), Chris Dobey (-5), and Ross Smith (-4) have all taken heavy hits. Martin Schindler (-2) and Damon Heta (-1) limited the damage, which also applies to Rob Cross. “Voltage” had to defend a semi-final from two years ago but only reached the last 16 this time. Cross dropped “just” three places, which could have been much worse for the former world champion.

In the chasing pack, Luke Woodhouse has climbed to his highest ranking ever. “The Shed” reached the last 16 and is now number 21 in the world, a rise of four places. His surge came at the expense of Dave Chisnall (-1), Daryl Gurney (-1), and Dimitri Van den Bergh (-2). For Van den Bergh, the blow is extra bitter, as he is now 25th, one spot short of automatic qualification for the Winmau World Masters at the end of January. As a result, Mike De Decker — the highest-ranked Belgian at 19 — is the first Belgian assured of a place at the first major of the new season.

After his impressive quarter-final run, Krzysztof Ratajski has climbed to 28th, while Peter Wright (31st) and Michael Smith (32nd) also just remain inside the world’s top 32. Trailing them are, among others, Andrew Gilding, Ricardo Pietreczko, and Joe Cullen.

Following his disappointing World Championship, Raymond van Barneveld sits 36th, only two places ahead of Kevin Doets (38th). Hawk Eye reached the last 16 at the World Darts Championship for the second year running. Niels Zonneveld also enjoyed a strong campaign by making the last 32, rising two spots to 42nd. Meanwhile, Jeffrey de Graaf (51st), Richard Veenstra (57th), and Belgians Kim Huybrechts (60th) and Mario Vandenbogaerde (64th) are all inside the top 64 and will retain their Tour Cards in 2026. Vandenbogaerde had a stroke of luck as Dom Taylor was removed from the rankings. Taylor tested positive for doping during the World Darts Championship and had to forfeit his prize money. As a result, Taylor dropped out of the top 64, allowing Vandenbogaerde to keep his professional status.

One of the revelations at the World Darts Championship was the cheerful Englishman Justin Hood, who sensationally reached the quarter-finals after wins over the likes of Danny Noppert and Josh Rock. Happy Feet was still in his first Tour Card year and leapt 36 places thanks to his Ally Pally run. Hood is now up to 50th and already knows he will still hold a PDC Tour Card in 2027.

James Hurrell also looks likely to remain on tour, having climbed from a precarious 63rd to a safe 48th. Hillbilly stunned Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting at the World Darts Championship and impressively made the last 16.

Wesley Plaisier enjoyed a superb tournament, highlighted by a win over world-class operator Gerwyn Price. The Dutchman earned £35,000 in prize money at the World Darts Championship and rose to 75th. That is a jump of seventeen places. Plaisier is still in his first Tour Card year and only needs to be inside the top 64 after 2026 to retain it.

Other players who impressed at the World Darts Championship include Andreas Harrysson and Charlie Manby. They climbed 41 and 85 places respectively, and now sit 73rd and 81st in the world after both reached the last 16 in London. However, neither held a PDC Tour Card and needed to make the quarter-finals to break into the top 64 of the world rankings. They just missed out, which means their rankings will reset to zero at the start of the new season. They must try to secure a Tour Card at Q-School for 2026 and 2027.