Luke Littler carded one of the lowest averages of his career and won a 30-dart leg during a shock first-round exit to Robert Grundy at Players Championship 13 at Milton Keynes. Ross Smith ultimately emerged victorious, clinching a fifth ranking title of his career with a thrilling 8-7 win over Wesley Plaisier in the final. The double-header in Milton Keynes is the last chance for players to secure their place at the Betfred World Matchplay, with the 32-player field confirmed after the conclusion of Players Championship 14 on Wednesday.
The top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit will be seeded for July's showpiece event in Blackpool, and they will be joined by 16 qualifiers from the 12-month ProTour Order of Merit. Gary Anderson will head up the 16 qualifiers from the one-year ProTour Order of Merit, with Littler already confirmed for a place in the Winter Gardens line-up after his impressive season. Trending The Premier League champion, playing for the first time since his Poland Darts Masters success, struggled to a 79.
02 average against Grundy and only posted one maximum in the best-of-11 contest at the Marshall Arena. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Littler lost the first two legs but broke back in the third and fired an 86 finish in the next to level the contest, before moving ahead after coming through a remarkable 30-dart fifth leg where both players missed numerous looks at double. Also See: Latest darts headlines and highlights Darts i.