Luke Littler has declined the chance to take a well-earned break following his maiden World Grand Prix triumph. The world champion will instead compete in a PDC World Youth Championship qualifier in Wigan on Monday.
Littler demolished Luke Humphries 6-1 in the final at Leicester Arena on Sunday, securing five of his six sets through final-leg deciders. Following his seventh PDC major televised triumph, the 18-year-old confirmed he would return to action within 24 hours.
“I’ll head to the World Youths tomorrow and see everyone and have a bit of fun,” Littler told Sky Sports. “I don’t think anyone is going to be my friend tomorrow, but it’s 20 minutes up the road, and I will try my best. I could have had the day off, but why not? Play the World Youth, then two [PDC] ProTours in Wigan and have the weekend off.”
‘The Nuke’ opted out of last year’s tournament for players under 24, of which he was the defending champion. Instead, Gian van Veen, whom Littler defeated 6-4 in the 2023 final, claimed last year’s title, with the Dutchman also entering Monday’s qualifying.
The duo delivered a thrilling encounter in the World Grand Prix opening round, which Littler claimed 2-0 in 11 minutes. That triumph propelled the teenager towards a £120,000 windfall and narrowed the prize money gap to world number one Humphries.
Littler, during a news conference afterwards, acknowledged the world rankings race: “This is my time and I’ve just got to keep going. Obviously, until I get that world number one spot, I will never call myself the best in the world.
“Whoever’s number one, they’re the best. But knowing I’m only £70,000 in prize money behind Luke, and then he’s got to defend all of his prize money from the Grand Prix, the Players Championships and the World Championship.
“I don’t want to think about it too much, but I could be world number one before that World Championship. I’ve just got to keep chucking away and put as much pressure as I can on Luke.”
The World Youth Championship boasts a total prize fund of £100,000, with the overall champion pocketing £12,000. Both figures have seen an increase since 2023, when Littler last participated, having previously bagged a £10,000 cheque from a total pool of £60,000.
However, Littler first needs to secure a spot among the top two players in Monday’s qualifier at Robin Park Leisure Centre. The grand finale is set for 23 November in Minehead, coinciding with the Players Championship, scheduled between the semi-finals and the final of that tournament, where Littler was the runner-up to Humphries last year.