LUKE LITTLER has warned Luke Humphries he is gunning for his world No1 spot.
The two Lukes are the only players on the darts PDC Order of Merit who have earned more than £1million in prize money over the past 24 months.
However, Humphries is defending a lot of cash in the autumn and winter – banked from victories in the 2023 season – and this gives the Nuke the chance to close the financial gap.
Especially as Littler only turned professional at the start of the 2024 campaign and as a free hit going forward.
This weekend it is the World Masters, the first ranking tournament of 2025 since the conclusion of the PDC World Darts Championship at Ally Pally.
Littler – who went bowling with his mates on his 18th birthday on January 21 – said: “Luke Humphries has a lot to defend.
“So, maybe I could get to world No.1 This year I’m not defending any prize money.
“We all know Luke has the capabilities to go and defend all that he won two years back.
“I’m hoping I can either stop him or other players do – so I can get to No.1.
“There has been a bit of rust from all of us since the Worlds. I don’t have any expectations.
“People will think I’ll win everything. I don’t know what to expect from myself.”
Littler’s opponent on Friday night is the Belgian qualifier Andy Baetens, who fancies his prospect of an upset in Milton Keynes.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”‘He celebrated more than winning World Championship’ say fans after Luke Littler’s wild moment on EAFC 25 livestream ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367933630112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Littler won the first PDC professional clash 6-1 last August in a ProTour event but Baetens, 35, got the better of the Warrington teenager on the amateur Modus Super Series in 2023.
The Beast from the East – the world No.94 and the 2023 WDF world champion – said: “I’ve beaten him four times.
“In my opinion, he’s the best in the world, so we will see. I am a little bit better as a player than last year. I train a lot.
“Qualifying for the Masters was very hard. I am proud to get through.”
