Increased prize money at the World Matchplay tournament could propel the current number one player to the top.
Luke Littler has made history in the world of professional darts, becoming the fifth player to complete the PDC Triple Crown after a thrilling victory at the Phil Taylor Trophy. Littler's comments following the victory were broadcast on Sky Sports, where he expressed his delight and admiration for the namesake of the trophy, Phil Taylor.
The PDC Triple Crown is a prestigious achievement, requiring a player to win all three of the following tournaments at least once in their career: the PDC World Darts Championship, the World Matchplay, and the Premier League Darts. The illustrious list of players who have achieved this feat includes Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Luke Humphries, and now, Luke Littler.
Littler, at just 18 years old, is the youngest player to complete the Triple Crown. He added the Phil Taylor Trophy to his collection of titles, which already includes the Premier League and the World Championship, which he won earlier this year.
The win against James Wade in Blackpool last night came with a prize money of £200,000, boosting Littler's hopes of overhauling current No1 Humphries. Humphries will be defending more than £400,000 from his prize pot before the World Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Despite not playing any major events in 2023, Littler's total prize money over the last two years has now jumped to just over £1.5m, putting him less than £300,000 behind Humphries, whose prize pot over the same period sits at £1.79m.
Littler has stated that completing the Triple Crown means "absolutely everything" to him. He has also expressed his intention to chase the majors he hasn't won yet.
Phil Taylor, the most successful Triple Crown winner with 36 combined wins across the three events, has been a source of inspiration for Littler. Taylor is the only player to have won all three events in a single season, a feat he achieved twice (in 2006 and 2010). Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson have also won multiple Triple Crowns, with 13 and 5 titles respectively.
Littler's victory against Wade has not only secured his place in darts history but also set the stage for an exciting race to the World Championship. The question on everyone's mind now is: who will claim the top spot in the PDC rankings by the end of the year?
In the world of sports, football seems far removed from darts, but Luke Littler's exceptional achievements in darts have earned him a spot among the most illustrious names in the sport, including Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson. Currently, Littler is honing his skills and strategies, targeting the major darts events that still elude him.
