Yahoo News Phil Taylor's message to Luke Littler after teen 'snubbed' from World Cup of Darts
Darts legend Phil Taylor has sent a message to Luke Littler who has not been included in England's World Cup Team. The Power, from Burslem, has given his backing to the teenage sensation after he was snubbed.
Phil has spoken out after it was confirmed this week that Luke will not be participating in the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt this weekend due to the teams being determined by the Professional Darts Corporation's (PDC) Order of Merit.
World champion Luke Humphries and Michael Smith, who hold the number one and number three global rankings respectively, are set to represent England in the four-day tournament where 40 countries will vie for the £80,000 winner's prize.
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Despite his meteoric rise to fame following his journey to the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace six months ago, it was never anticipated that 17-year-old Littler would participate.
Currently ranked number 25 in the PDC, 'Luke the Nuke' didn't fail to qualify for the World Cup - he simply wasn't in the running, reports the Express. Even though he secured the Premier League Darts title last month, his £315,000 prize money did not elevate his position on the order of merit ladder as it is an invitational tournament outside the ranking system.
With Luke out of the picture, top seeds England are predicted to clinch their fifth World Cup of Darts - and their first since Phil Taylor and fellow Stokie Adrian Lewis won it four times between 2012-16.
However, Phil has reassured fans that there's no need to be 'worried' about Luke's absence in Germany. "Don't worry about Luke - his time will come to play at the World Cup," he said. "People forget it's only his first season as a professional."
Phil added: "I'm surprised we haven't won it since Adrian and I were England's double act. I always loved playing at the World Cup because on the PDC circuit it's every man for himself and last man standing takes home the loot. But this is a chance to represent your country, and a lot of people don't realise how much it means to stand top there in an England shirt.
"It used to bring out the patriot in me and it was always great fun playing with Aidy. Maybe it was partly because we come from the same city, Stoke-on-Trent, that we got along so well, but in 2013 even we couldn't match the Belgians for team spirit even if we beat them 3-1 in the final - because their team was from the same family, Kim and Ronny Huybrechts. But it's a good format, singles and doubles, and I loved playing for England."
England, Scotland, Wales and the Netherlands are the top seeds, automatically qualifying for Saturday's knockout stages. The remaining 36 nations must battle it out in their respective groups to secure their place in the next round.
Reigning champions Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton brought home Wales' second World Cup of Darts title 12 months ago. However, Price has withdrawn from defending his title due to medical reasons.
