Luke Littler crushes Luke Humphries 6–1 to win World Grand Prix and close In on World No. 1 spot
Luke Littler continues to redefine darts at just 18 years old. The teenage sensation produced another statement performance by thrashing Luke Humphries 6–1 in the World Grand Prix final in Leicester, claiming his fourth major televised title of 2025 and closing in on the world No. 1 ranking.
It was a night that confirmed Littler’s status as the sport’s biggest rising force. In front of a buzzing crowd at the Mattioli Arena, the top two players in the world delivered another classic chapter in their growing rivalry — though this time, Littler left little doubt about who was in control.
Littler’s Ruthless Performance in Leicester
The young Englishman stormed into a two-set lead, both decided in final legs, showing remarkable composure under pressure. Right after the interval, Littler came agonisingly close to perfection, missing the bullseye for what would have been just the fourth nine-darter in World Grand Prix history.
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From there, the momentum never really swung back. Littler powered through the third and fourth sets in yet more final-leg deciders, with Humphries finally stopping the onslaught by taking the fifth set thanks to a 154 checkout. But that only delayed the inevitable. Littler regained control, closing out the match in the seventh set with a 14-dart finish to secure a stunning 6–1 victory.
He averaged 92.15 to Humphries’ 93.61 but made up for it with relentless accuracy on doubles and big finishes when it mattered most. His win also reduces the gap between the pair to just £70,000 in the PDC Order of Merit, putting Littler within touching distance of becoming world No. 1 before defending his World Championship crown in December.
“Luke will know I’m right behind him now,” Littler said after the match. “£70,000 isn’t a lot when you look at what’s coming up. I’m on his back, and I’m not letting go.”
How the Match Unfolded
Littler’s start was sharp, breaking back immediately after a slow second leg to take the opening set in a decider. He then capitalised on Humphries’ missed doubles in the second set to double his advantage.
The highlight came early in the third, when Littler threw eight perfect darts before narrowly missing the bull for a nine-dart leg. He still went on to claim the set with a clinical 104 checkout, before extending his lead to 4–0 thanks to another composed double finish.
Humphries briefly rallied, producing checkouts of 149, 110, and 154 in a gutsy fifth set, but Littler’s consistency was unshakeable. He responded with a 90 checkout, followed by an 11-darter in the sixth, and finished things off with a 98 finish to seal one of the most dominant wins of his career.
Humphries: “I Have to Get Better”
Despite the loss, Humphries showed respect for his rival’s brilliance, admitting that Littler’s precision left him chasing the game from the start.
“He was so clinical in the first four sets,” Humphries said. “I wanted to give the crowd something because the game had gone away from me. It’s disappointing — I thought I’d push him harder, but I have to work even more now if I want to match him.”
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This marks Humphries’ second consecutive runner-up finish at the World Grand Prix, having also lost last year’s final. For Littler, it’s another step in an extraordinary run that already includes titles at the World Championship, UK Open, and World Matchplay in 2025.
“It’s not the easiest tournament to win,” Littler added. “This week has been so tough. To lift this trophy means a lot — there aren’t many left I haven’t won.”
What’s next for Littler?
Littler’s victory edges him closer to completing the full set of PDC Premier titles — he’s now just three short. The PDC ProTour continues this week with Players Championship events in Wigan, followed by the German Darts Championship, the last qualifier for the European Championship.
The next televised major, the Grand Slam of Darts, runs from November 8–16 in Wolverhampton. All eyes will be on Littler once again as he continues his charge toward becoming the youngest-ever world No. 1.
SportsLigue