PDC Order of Merit update: Luke Littler finally becomes World No.1 as Price, Peter Wright on the verge of losing top-32 spot

It had been coming for weeks, but after the Grand Slam of Darts, Luke Littler is finally officially the new world number one. 'The Nuke' takes over the number-one position on the PDC Order of Merit from his great rival Luke Humphries.

Since winning the world title in January 2024, Humphries led the PDC Order of Merit. At the time, that title was the culmination of a sensational autumn in which he also managed to win the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals.

Meanwhile, it is two years later, and so Humphries must defend his 2023 results this term. In the past two tournaments, "Cool Hand Luke" still held his own by reaching the final at both the World Grand Prix and the European Darts Championship, but this time Humphries was no longer in control. The 30-year-old darter from Newsbury had to hope Littler did not make the final at the Grand Slam of Darts in order to retain his first spot.

However, that proved to be impossible. Littler easily made it through the group stage of the Grand Slam of Darts. He started convincingly with a 5-1 victory over Karel Sedlacek and after two games was already sure of a place in the eighth finals after winning 5-3 in his second match against Connor Scutt. Via a 5-1 victory over Daryl Gurney, the English teenage sensation then became convincing group winner in Group E.

His knockout phase began against Wessel Nijman. A match from which much was expected beforehand, but Littler was already ahead 5-0 after the first session. In the end, it became 10-4 for "The Nuke. In the quarterfinals against Josh Rock, Littler fell behind 6-9, but the deficit was then effortlessly repaired. The reigning world champion conceded only three more legs and triumphed 16-12. In the last four he met Danny Noppert on his way. 'The Freeze' started the match strongly, eventually leading 8-6. However, he couldn't keep up with Littler's pace after all, and Littler still went on to win by a wide margin (16-9). Then the 18-year-old teen sensation was too strong for Humphries in the final with 16-11.

It earned him the top prize of £150,000, which means Littler now leads the rankings with £1,850,500, while Humphries is now second with £1,689,000. Close behind is Michael van Gerwen in third place with £741,250. Stephen Bunting is still number four with £607,250.

Jonny Clayton took over the fifth spot from James Wade, while Danny Noppert was able to make a big jump. 'The Freeze' reached his fourth semifinal at the Grand Slam of Darts on a 2025 ranking major, moving up from spot 11 to seventh. He passed Gian van Veen and Chris Dobey, the world numbers eight and nine, among others. Gerwyn Price closed out the top-10. After his semi-final place in Wolverhampton, 'The Iceman' was also allowed to move up four spots.

Josh Rock is narrowly outside the top-10, as his deficit to Price is only 500 pounds. Noteworthy is the rise of Ross Smith. 'Smudger' had not qualified for the Grand Slam of Darts, but was allowed to trade the fifteenth position for twelfth. Behind him follow Damon Heta, Gary Anderson and Martin Schindler. Rob Cross is the big loser after this tournament. 'Voltage' made it to the final in Wolverhampton two years ago, but failed to qualify this season. It cost him seven spots on the PDC Order of Merit, which means Cross is now 16th.

Ricky Evans also managed to make a nice climb. 'Rapid Ricky' surprisingly reached the quarter-finals at the Grand Slam of Darts, which moved him up six spots in the world rankings. He now occupies 40th place. Furthermore, Lukas Wenig did good business with a view to retaining his Tour Card. By winning his group and reaching the quarter-finals, Wenig is now in 63rd place.

This has effectively also saved his Tour Card as of right now with the German being in huge danger of losing it. Beau Greaves and Jurjen van der Velde went up 20 and 31 spots albeit both sit outside the top 100 and aren't Tour Card holders (yet in the case of Greaves but still a rise nonetheless). While Cross was the biggest faller, Dirk van Duijvenbode is also on the verge of falling out of the top 32 going down to 29th. While Peter Wright is almost there in regards to the trapdoor. He sits in 30th and has gone down a spot.