LUKE LITTLER has been ranked 22ND in the new PDC Order of Merit rankings despite his incredible breakthrough year.
The Nuke, 17, has enjoyed a remarkable 2024 – his first 12 months on the PDC Pro Tour.
Littler reached the final of the world championships, losing to Luke Humphries, before he went on to win a host of events including the Premier League.
Yet the way the PDC Order of Merit rankings are formulated means he is still quite a way down their list.
They are based on the “prize money won in ranking tournaments over a two-year period”.
This leaves Littler in a difficult position as certain events – such as the Premier League – are non-ranking tournaments.
Other competitions such as the Masters, World Cup of Darts and World Series Finals also do not count.
Those that do include the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, European Championship Darts, Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals and the World Cup of Darts.
Littler also had not competed in a ranking event 12 months ago, meaning he only has the last year of events to call upon to climb him up the standings.
It leaves Littler’s earnings at just £343,000, more than £1million behind No1 Humphries – who has racked up nearly £1.65m from ranking events.
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He is £600,000 clear of Michael Smith in second, with Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross and Nathan Aspinall propping up the top five.
Gerwyn Price, Dave Chisnall, Jonny Clayton and Damon Heta also creep into the top 10.
As does two-time world champion Peter Wright – just days after he broke down in tears on his way to a sensational triumph at the German Darts Championship.
The Scot, 54, beat Van Gerwen, Chisnall and Littler en route to lifting the trophy in Hildesheim.
