After a whirlwind first couple of years on the tour, the last thing for Littler to accomplish was the world-number-one ranking.
Humphries had topped the PDC Order of Merit since winning the 2024 World Championships but Littler had been gradually chipping away at his rival’s lead and eventually completed his ascension at the Grand Slam of Darts.
He won 10 of the last 11 legs to beat Danny Noppert in the semi-finals and secure top spot in the rankings, even before the final against Humphries.
He went on to win that 16-11, winning 10 of the final 13 legs to secure back-to-back titles.
“I am the best in the world, I can finally say. World number one, you are the best in the world. To top it off by going back-to-back here makes it even more special.
“Now I’m number one, I’m hungry to stay there. I want to be there for the next few years. There’s going to be a target on my back from Luke and all the other players. It’s made me more hungry.
“Now I’ve got the number one spot and he wants it back. We’re going to be battling even more, I think we’re going to playing well because obviously he wants it back and I don’t want to give it away. You’re going to see many more great games.
“It definitely is war because if someone takes it off you then you want it back. You don’t want to be second. It’s taken me 19 or 20 months to get to world number one so now I want to stay there for a few years.”