Luke Littler: PDC World Champion beaten in the first players’ championship of 2025

Luke Littler was eliminated from the first players’ championship event of the year when he lost 6-3 to Joe Cullen.

The 18-year-old PDC world champion was on average only 87.8 in the competition on the third round, while Cullen managed 95.4.

Cullen threw six 180s when he won five consecutive legs to reach the last 16 of the tournament in the Robin Park Leisure Center in Wigan.

Littler, on the other hand, did not miss 15 doubles and was far below his best.

Another Big-name victim at the same stage was Stephen Bunting, who suffered a 6-4 defeat against Andrew Gilding while James Wade went 6-1 to Ross Smith.

World number one Luke Humphries went on with a comfortable 6-2 victory over Mensur Suljovic.

Michael van Gerwen, WHO Defeat Littler in the Premier League Opener in Belfast last week, does not participate in this tournament.

There are 34 player championship events throughout the year, with the final of the competition planned to be held in Minehead from November 21-23.