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Luke Littler Sweeps Group to Set Up Last-16 Tie and Put World No. 1 Within Reach

A run to the final would make the 18-year-old world No. 1 due to the narrow Order of Merit gap to Luke Humphries.

Overview

  • The defending champion finished 3-0 in Group E and closed group play with a 5-1 win over Daryl Gurney to advance to the knockouts.
  • Littler is scheduled to face Wessel Nijman in a best-of-19 last-16 match on Thursday in Wolverhampton.
  • Sky Sports reports that the prize-money gap to Luke Humphries is under £75,000, so reaching the final would move Littler to No. 1 on the PDC Order of Merit.
  • The event shifts to longer formats from the quarters onward (best of 31), which Littler says should suit his game after a businesslike group stage.
  • Phil Taylor praised Littler's grounded mindset, saying the teenager is not driven by prize money and stays focused on performance and family.