18-year-old Luke Littler Eyes Youngest PDC World No 1 Spot at European Championship in Germany

Luke Littler, an 18-year-old darts player, is on the verge of becoming the youngest world number one in PDC history if he wins the European Championship in Dortmund. Currently ranked second, Littler is closing the £52,500 prize money gap behind world number one Luke Humphries and could surpass him with a strong tournament performance, potentially even reaching the top spot without winning the title outright depending on Humphries' results. Littler recently defeated Humphries 6-1 in the World Grand Prix final and will face Raymond van Barneveld in the first round, with a possible quarter-final showdown against Humphries. However, Littler has faced hostility from German crowds in past tournaments, which could impact his performance in Germany where the European Championship is held. Despite these challenges, Littler has shown remarkable form, winning seven major titles and nearly £1.7 million in prize money since joining the professional tour less than two years ago. His rise is closely watched as he seeks to solidify his position as the world's top darts player before defending his World Championship title later in the year.