These players have the most prize money to defend in 2024

Ahead of the first ranking tournaments of 2024, PDC statistician Christopher Kempf has compiled a list of the players to defend the most prize money over the next 12 months.

Luke Humphries appears to be facing a carefree season as world number one. Of his amount in the world rankings, he only has to defend 22.8 percent in 2024. World number two Michael van Gerwen, for example, has to defend 52.44 percent. 'Mighty Mike' won the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals in 2022.

Danny Noppert also has an important year ahead of him. 'The Freeze' took the title at the 2022 UK Open and was a semifinalist at the World Matchplay. He must defend 56 percent prior to the World Darts Championship, the highest finishing percentage of any player in the top-16 world rankings.

Adrian Lewis is the player with the most percentage of prize money to defend. That's not surprising either, since "Jackpot" has been temporarily retired since April 2023 and thus won no prize money after that. He has almost 78 percent to defend if Lewis does return to the circuit later this year.

Rowby-John Rodriguez must also compete in 2024. The Austrian must defend 67 percent of his prize money this season. The Austrian will have to start qualifying for the televised tournaments, otherwise a return to Q-School beckons. The same goes for Martin Lukeman (60 percent) and Ryan Meikle (55 percent). Vincent van der Voort will also have to at least make it to the World Darts Championship to avoid losing his Tour Card. 'The Dutch Destroyer' must defend 54 percent of his prize money won.