Players Championship Order of Merit Update after 26-27: World's top three in trouble in Minehead pursuit

The 27th Players Championship of the year was a triumph for Joe Cullen yesterday. 'The Rockstar' defeated Gerwyn Price 8-7 in the final in Hildesheim, Germany. Cullen not only did good in business toward qualification for the World Grand Prix, but he also climbed to eighth place on the Players Championship Order of Merit.

For Cullen, it was already his third final this year at the Players Championship. Earlier he lost in the final of the first tournament to Rob Cross. In the final of the fifth tournament he defeated Gian van Veen. Afterwards, Cullen experienced a lesser period, with regular early eliminations in several tournaments. So now the 36-year-old Englishman is tying for victory again and, as a result, he rises to eighth place on the Players Championship Order of Merit. With seven tournaments to go, Cullen is already certain of qualifying for the Players Championship Finals.

Leading the rankings is Gerwyn Price, who has done excellent business in recent days with a tournament win and a final place finish. The Iceman' is in pole position to start the Players Championship Finals as the top seed. Who can possibly still threaten him is Gian van Veen. The 23-year-old Dutchman follows in second place at 13500 pounds from Price. Completing the top three is Damon Heta, who already follows at 23500 pounds from Price.

Damon Heta rounds out the top three while Ross Smith is fourth ahead of Stephen Bunting. Jermaine Wattimena and Cameron Menzies after title success this year are in the top seven. While the top 10 is rounded out with Chris Dobey, Joe Cullen and Jonny Clayton.

One who is currently in the top 64, yet is by no means certain of placing, is - perhaps somewhat surprisingly - Luke Littler. 'The Nuke' has only played a few Players Championships this year and is currently ranked 58th. He is therefore expected to be back in action in the upcoming tournaments.

Just outside the top 64 - in place 66 - is another top name. After all, Luke Humphries - still ranked number one in the world - is currently outside the qualifying spots for the Players Championship Finals. 'Cool Hand Luke', like Littler, dropped out of several tournaments and thus also needs some good results to defend his title at the tournament he managed to win in both 2023 and 2024.

As if that were not enough, the world number three also has to pull out all the stops to qualify for the Players Championship Finals. Michael van Gerwen is currently only 103rd and has a lot of work ahead of him. Mighty Mike' seems to have to win a tournament to qualify for the one he has already won seven times (last time in 2022).

Other notable names currently outside the top 64 include Mensur Suljovic, Nathan Aspinall, Kim Huybrechts, Jose de Sousa and Dimitri Van den Bergh. The Players Championship is now at a standstill for a few weeks and gets underway again on Tuesday, Sept. 30, in Leicester. Exactly one month later, the 34th and final Players Championship of the year is scheduled in Wigan.