Van Gerwen Slips as Order of Merit Shifts
Michael van Gerwen has fallen two places on the PDC Order of Merit to seventh, dropping behind both Josh Rock and compatriot Danny Noppert in the latest rankings update. The slide comes after a mixed performance at the two Players Championship events held in Den Bosch this week, which highlighted the fine margins at the top of the sport.
The Dutchman suffered a first-round exit at Players Championship 29 before improving with a run to the quarter-finals a day later at Players Championship 30. However, these results were not sufficient to defend his ranking position. The Order of Merit operates on a two-year rolling basis, and significant prize money won by Van Gerwen at a Players Championship event around this time in 2024 has now been removed from his total. His earnings from the Den Bosch events did not fully replace that amount, leading to the drop down the world rankings.
This movement at the top of the sport underscores the relentless pressure of the ProTour, where consistent results on the floor are required to maintain a high standing for the televised majors. For a player of Van Gerwen’s stature, a three-time world champion, any slip is notable, and his position will be watched closely as the season approaches its critical final stages.
Wade Tipped for Grand Prix Glory
As one major tournament looms, an old hand is being tipped for success. James Wade is reportedly hitting form at the perfect moment for the World Grand Prix in Leicester. According to analysis from former major winner Paul Nicholson and pundit Polly James, the experienced Englishman should not be underestimated in the unique double-in, double-out event.
The format, which requires players to begin and end each leg on a double, has for decades been a true test of an all-round darts player, rewarding precision and composure over raw scoring power. Wade’s well-known proficiency on the outer ring is seen as a significant advantage. James noted that when he is in a good mood and focused, his combination of scoring and clinical finishing makes him a formidable opponent. With his strong recent form, many believe he is a serious title contender, and those who follow darts betting odds will have taken notice of his quiet resurgence this season.
While Wade targets a major title, the pressure is mounting elsewhere on the circuit. The ProTour season is reaching a crunch point, with qualification for the Players Championship Finals in Minehead still on the line. Several high-profile names, including Gary Anderson, Nathan Aspinall and the aforementioned Josh Rock, are currently in danger of missing out on the season-ending tournament, adding extra significance to the remaining floor events where every pound earned is crucial.
The Littler Effect Felt On and Off the Oche
The influence of world champion Luke Littler continues to be a major talking point on the tour. Fellow professional Justin Hood, who is still seeking a breakthrough on the ProTour himself, offered an insight into the teenager’s demeanour. Hood contrasted Littler’s quiet confidence with the more expressive approach of a dominant Michael van Gerwen from a previous era, observing that Littler’s performance on the board speaks for itself without any need for outward declarations of superiority. Hood also believes the darting world has not yet seen the best of the world champion.
Hood, who admitted he has not been putting in the required practice hours, acknowledged the high bar Littler has set. Despite feeling his own long-term average, which he places in the top 16 for the year, is competitive with many on the tour, he has found the European Tour qualifiers to be a consistent stumbling block.
Away from the professional circuit, Littler’s mainstream appeal is creating new avenues for public engagement with the sport. Casting for the new Netflix show “Beat Luke Littler” provided a stark illustration of the gap between amateur ambition and elite skill. Radio DJ Dylan Boet described his attempt to qualify in Manchester as a “horror show,” beginning with a three-and-a-half-hour wait in pouring rain. Once inside, participants were given just five minutes of shared warm-up time before facing the challenge of checking out a 501 leg in 24 darts. Boet detailed a ruthless, “conveyor belt” like process where aspiring players were moved through quickly, with few getting close to the target.
In Brief
- The PDC has confirmed the schedule for the 2027 Premier League. The roadshow will visit venues including Berlin, Newcastle, Dublin, and Rotterdam before the play-offs at The O2 in London.
- Ten players booked their places at the Dutch Darts Championship in Maastricht via the Tour Card Holder Qualifier. Scott Williams continued his good form, defeating top seed Mike De Decker, while Michael Smith is set for a return to the European Tour.
- At the MODUS Super Series, Johnny Haines and Robert Owens both made strong starts to their respective campaigns with a series of commanding victories.
- Vincent van der Voort has once again voiced criticism of the format for the World Series Finals, questioning the fairness of the qualification and seeding structure.
