World Series Order of Merit Update: Luke Littler climbs to 3rd with Wollongong win, Stephen Bunting almost has top spot secured

Luke Littler’s victory at the Australian Darts Masters has moved him up to third place on the World Series Order of Merit. ‘The Nuke’ now sits behind only Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price in the standings.

The 18-year-old sensation claimed his first World Series title of the season on Saturday in Wollongong. It marked a turnaround in what had been a disappointing campaign, with a semi-final run at the Dutch Darts Masters his only notable result before arriving Down Under. Littler ended his trophy drought on the circuit in style.

He survived a first-round scare against Haupai Puha, with the New Zealander forcing a deciding leg in which he had the throw. But the reigning world champion held his nerve to edge through 6-5. From there, Littler was dominant, sweeping past Damon Heta 6-3, Stephen Bunting 7-4, and Mike de Decker 8-4 to take the title.

The Wollongong triumph earned Littler £30,000 in prize money and 12 points towards the World Series Order of Merit, taking his total to 31. That saw him leapfrog Rob Cross (27 points), with ‘Voltage’ skipping the Australian and New Zealand double-header.

With just one World Series event remaining, Bunting tops the table. ‘The Bullet’ has enjoyed a superb season, winning in Bahrain and Denmark, and reaching finals in the Netherlands and Poland. He leads Price by eight points, 46 to 38.

That means Bunting will secure the top spot with a semi-final finish at the Auckland Darts Masters on 15–16 August. Price must reach at least the final to overtake him. Littler’s points deficit to Bunting is too great for him to mount a challenge for first place.

Luke Humphries sits fifth with 24 points after suffering a shock 6-0 quarter-final defeat to a superb Mike de Decker. ‘Cool Hand Luke’ can still climb the standings in Auckland, though the chances of him slipping further appear slim. Sixth-placed Nathan Aspinall (20 points) will not compete in New Zealand, and seventh-placed Chris Dobey (15 points) would need to win the title and hope Humphries fails to get beyond the quarter-finals.

Despite missing the event, Michael van Gerwen remains eighth on nine points. However, the Dutchman is likely to lose ground in Auckland, with Mike de Decker and Damon Heta both just one point behind on eight – and guaranteed to earn at least one point in New Zealand, potentially more.

Josh Rock impressed on his World Series debut in Wollongong, picking up three points to enter the standings in joint 13th. He currently trails Peter Wright (five points) and Jonny Clayton (four points), but a quarter-final run in Auckland would see him overtake both.

Krzysztof Ratajski, Jason Brandon, Danny Lauby, Kevin Doets, Raymond van Barneveld, Jermaine Wattimena and Paolo Nebrida are also on three points, each having played one World Series event this year and reached the second round.

All remain in contention for an invite to the World Series Finals in Amsterdam from 12–14 September at AFAS Live, where several spots are typically awarded based on the World Series Order of Merit.