Latest news with #MichaelvanGerwen
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Why Luke Littler is still not world No1 despite best darts player on the planet completing Triple Crown within 15 months
LUKE LITTLER is the best darts player in the world at present – but why is he not the world No.1 according to the PDC? Midway through his second year as a professional player, Betfred World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Sunday night. 6 Luke Littler beat James Wade to win the World Matchplay in Blackpool on Sunday night Credit: Getty 6 Littler shared a warm embrace and kiss with his parents on stage at the Winter Gardens Credit: Getty 6 Littler celebrated the triumph with his girlfriend Faith Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 Within a 15-month period, the 18-year-old has taken possession of the Premier League Darts crown, the World Championship and now the Matchplay title – the three most prestigious and richest tournaments in the sport. Littler is Box Office material and his 18-13 victory in the final over James Wade was secured with a three-dart average of 107.24. That was the highest seen in the final since Phil Taylor was victorious in 2014 – the year he won his 15th of a record 16 crowns – with 107.19. The £200,000 winner's cheque means the Warrington teen has earned £1,500,500 in ranking money since the start of January 2024. That total does not include the HALF A MILLION pounds he has earned from competing in two editions of the Premier League. READ MORE DARTS NEWS Luke Humphries is In fact it might come sooner than that when the packed autumn schedule begins and there is a run of four major TV titles that carry lucrative cash sums. The PDC Order of Merit is based on prize money won over a two-year period by players in ranking tournaments. 6 Luke Littler became the youngest world darts champion, aged 18, when he won the title in January Credit: Reuters BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Most read in Sport List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler In the latter half of 2023, Humphries, 30, announced himself as the dominant figure, winning the World Grand Prix (£120,000), Grand Slam of Darts (£150,000) and Players Championship Finals (£120,000) – before lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy (£500,000) for the first time. In total, Luke Littler, 18, plants kiss on girlfriend Faith, 19, during walk-on for World Matchplay Darts quarter-final In contrast, Littler is defending NOTHING right now because he is yet to complete a full second term in the pro ranks. Everything he gets is a free hit and will only boost his chances of being the top oche thrower. If Humphries were to keep losing in the early rounds – his Matchplay defence ended in round one in a 10-8 loss to Gian van Veen – and Littler continues to win, then the switch between the two Lukes will take place sooner than possible. It might happen in November at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, that is assuming Humphries is knocked out early at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. 6 The Nuke bagged £315,000 in prize money as he lifted the Premier League Darts trophy in May 2024 Credit: Getty There is a strong chance come the start of the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championships, which begins on December 11 and is now a 20-day event, then Littler will return to Ally Pally, where he was victorious in January, as the undisputed best player on the planet. Do not forget, of course, that the prize money for the Worlds has doubled from £500,000 to £1million this time, which completely skewers the world ranking standings even more for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. I've looked at the rankings provisionally. I'm No.1 for the Worlds if Luke doesn't defend all that prize money." Luke Littler after winning the World Matchplay Littler has long said that his main ambitions in the sport are to win every major at least once and become world No.1. That might happen sooner than he wants – indeed this time next year he may tick off all those targets. Speaking on Sunday night with the Phil Taylor Trophy in his hands, Littler said that he had looked at the PDC website and had done the maths. He said: 'The start of my career I wanted to win one of every major. There's not that many to go. 'I've looked at the rankings provisionally. I'm No.1 for the Worlds if Luke doesn't defend all that prize money. 'Obviously I don't want him to. But we'll just have to find out and try and add more money to my rankings.' Asked if he would still have the hunger to win after potentially lifting every major title at least once, Littler replied: 'That's what everybody is probably thinking once I've won one of everything. 'But for myself, I have to build on it and get multiple of everything, triple of everything. Once I win one of everything, I won't pack it in just yet.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Littler wins Wattimena thriller but Van Gerwen goes out
Luke Littler survived a real scare before fighting back to beat Jermaine Wattimena 13-11 in a thriller to reach the World Matchplay quarter-finals in Blackpool, but three-time champion Michael van Gerwen is out after defeat to Josh champion Littler looked out of sorts at Winter Gardens as he slipped 4-0 and then 7-2 behind against Dutchman pulling one leg back immediately before the second break, a clearly fired up Littler let out a roar of delight and gestured to the crowd that he was not going home just returned from the break reinvigorated, winning six legs in a row, but Wattimena rediscovered his composure and the two players traded blows to send the game to a tie breakLittler missed two match darts as the nerves began to show, but after making the third he once again roared in celebration and pointed to the star on his shirt, which signifies his World Championship victory."When I pointed to the star on my shirt, I'm a world champion for a reason, I find these gears when I need it," Littler told Sky Sports."I've not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championship. I was a bit nervous and it's on to my third game here, I've won two of them."I want to get back on stage and right now I can't wait to be in the quarter-final."Van Gerwen made a flying start against Northern Ireland's Rock, taking the opening leg with a 150 checkout before surging into a 5-1 narrowed the game to 6-4 at the second break only for Van Gerwen to move into a 9-6 lead and seemingly on the brink of Rock fought back again and the momentum to swung in his favour when a superb 152 checkout cut Van Gerwen's lead down to one, before winning the next two legs to take the lead for the first Gerwen needed a 138 checkout to stay in the game and make it 10-10, but Rock held his nerve in a tense tie break."I kept my emotions, I think, throughout the game. I don't know what was going on but I got into the game at the end," he told Sky Sports."One of the most dramatic, my heart was pumping throughout the whole game. The stress has finally gone. What a game."Gerwyn Price stormed into the quarter-finals with an 11-3 thrashing of England's Chris Dobey,Welshman Price, who was involved in an angry confrontation with Daryl Gurney in the previous round, averaged 108.7, hit eight 180s and had a 146 checkout in a dominant performance."It was fantastic. In the middle part of the game I felt like I couldn't miss," he told Sky Sports. "I put Chris under a lot of pressure. I think he still played pretty decent in patches."I think early on we were both flying and I was just pipping him on a couple of legs, probably disheartened him a little bit. It's a good game for me."Andrew Gilding set up a meeting with Littler after the former UK Open champion beat Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode 11-5 to reach the last eight of the World Matchplay for the second successive year.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen in action TONIGHT
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. TOWER POWER World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen in action TONIGHT – latest THE World Matchplay has arrived in Blackpool for nine thrilling nights of darts at the iconic Winter Gardens - and Luke Littler is back to the oche TONIGHT! World champion Littler returns to action in a tough test against Dutch star Jermaine Wattimena. Gerwyn Price also plays his first match since his heated win over Daryl Gurney - which reportedly ended in a furious backstage row. And Michael van Gerwen tops the day five bill in a huge encounter with Josh Rock. Start time: From 7.10pm BST From 7.10pm BST TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Action Sky Sports Main Event/Action Live stream: Sky Sports app/NOW TV CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Follow our live blog below...
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘I feel more calm' – Michael van Gerwen reveals major personal change for first time that inspired World Matchplay win
Van Gerwen has made prediction about his next performance MIC DROP 'I feel more calm' – Michael van Gerwen reveals major personal change for first time that inspired World Matchplay win MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has revealed that the presence of his daughter played a huge role in his World Matchplay win over Raymond van Barneveld. The Dutch maestro was made to work against his compatriot in a 10-6 victory at the Winter Gardens. Advertisement 4 Michael van Gerwen was made to work for his win at the World Matchplay against Raymond van Barneveld Credit: Getty 4 He's revealed that the presence of daughter Zoe, 7, made a huge difference to his game Credit: Instagram @mvg180 4 Van Gerwen has endured a tough time in his personal life, splitting from his wife in May Credit: Instagram @mvg180 4 The pair had been together since 2008 Credit: Instagram @mvg180 And it was welcome relief after a torrid time in his personal life. Last week, Van Gerwen's father was sadly diagnosed with cancer. And in May, he announced his split from wife Daphne before pulling out of upcoming tournaments. The pair had been together since 2008 before getting married in 2014, the same year as his first World Championship win. Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS BLOW HIS DOUBLE TOP Price and Gurney in heated clash on stage at World Matchplay Darts But against Van Barneveld, Van Gerwen had a special guest watching on. Daughter Zoe, 7, is the eldest of his two children with Daphne — the other being son Mike, 5. And she was present as Van Gerwen booked his place in the next stage. Speaking after the game, MvG declared that Zoe had bought a 'calmness' to his game. Advertisement BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And being able to spend quality time with her between matches was also the perfect antidote to his personal issues. Van Gerwen said: 'We have a day off tomorrow. I can relax a little bit more and spend some time with my daughter. Michael van Gerwen makes major change as he returns to darts for first time since announcing divorce 'She is here for the first time and I really enjoy that. Advertisement 'My dad had an operation, he had cancer last week, that's why I'm playing today. 'I'm in the middle of a divorce. I brought my daughter to give a bit to myself. 'But for the rest, I feel good. I feel more calm now and think from here on I can make steps. 'Of course the first rounds are always tough. But I hope we see a more relaxed version of me, that would be nice and fair to me.'
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Emotional Michael van Gerwen bares his soul amid divorce as darts legend feels a change deep within
Dutch hero talks life priorities and darts aims as he works back his to his peak Honest Michael van Gerwen insists he can make steps as he battles through difficult off-stage issues. The Dutch darts star faces Josh Rock in the second-round of the Betfred World Matchplay on Wednesday night having started his title bid with a win over Raymond van Barneveld. Van Gerwen didn't the heights against his countryman, but opened up afterwards on how his life has been impacted in recent times. It's known the 36-year-old is working through a split from wife Daphne, but he also revealed his father underwent surgery last week due to cancer. Van Gerwen, who has his daughter with him in Blackpool, admitted he wasn't at his best, but explained: 'We all know where I'm coming from. It's not rocket science. I didn't play a lot of tournaments in the last few months. Now it feels like you have to start from scratch and that makes it hard for myself. 'My life is totally different. My dad had an operation last week. Of course, I'm in the middle of a divorce, but for the rest, I feel good. I feel more calm now and I think from here on, I can make steps. 'I'm going to take whatever is possible to do as well as I can. And afterwards I go on holiday. Towards September, October, I need to be fully ready. That's the way it is. When something comes, everything comes together. That's not a nice thing, but unfortunately, that's life. 'What can I expect for myself? Darts moves on and doesn't stop for anyone. Not even for me, not for Phil Taylor, for no one. Simple as that. First rounds of tournaments are always tough. Now with me having a day off, I can relax a little bit more, spend some time with my daughter because she's here with me for the first time and I really enjoy that. 'My priority changed the moment my kids were born. You can say whatever they want, it's fact and it changed people's lives, especially if you look to every sports people around the world, when they have children, things change and it's life. If you look to anyone else around the world, whatever their passion is, their job is, if you ask them what comes first, it's always their children and it's also the same with me.' Van Gerwen knows his past achievements count for nothing as he said: 'If you want to have any warranty, you need to buy a washing machine or something, you know what I mean? It doesn't mean anything what you did in the last few years, you have to do it now. 'It's a longer project, From last May until now, a lot has been going on and not the nicest things, but it's how life goes. I put the ladder so high for myself as well in the previous years, but I can handle it, I'm a big boy and I love what I do, I love performing and when you don't play well, people can shoot at me, and when I play well, I like people to cheer for me. That's the way how darts is, simple as that. 'It's not only about practise at home. It's everything together, how you think, how you believe, how you act, the energy you have to show. The total package has to be right. You need to give yourself the time and people have to give you the time as well. 'Sometimes it's difficult because I know what I'm capable of. When I'm trying to put on the gas too much, you're going to get thrown back, so you need to make sure you take your time. 'You need to win more games on the highest level and then things will develop for myself. I know that, but I need to give myself the time.'
