Luke Humphries Fires Back At Michael Van Gerwen As PDC Rule Change Demanded

Luke Humphries has responded after Michael van Gerwen proposed a PDC rule change that would directly impact him.

Humphries is currently the world number two heading into the 2026 World Championship, having been overtaken by Luke Littler earlier this month.

The pair are comfortably clear at the top of the two-year PDC Order of Merit, though that could change by the end of the World Championship.

Humphries is defending £500,000 in prize money and ranking points from winning the 2024 tournament, with an increased prize of £1 million on offer for the winner this time around.

But as it stands, Littler - with 1970.5 points - and Humphries - 1572 - are significantly ahead of third-placed Van Gerwen, who has 681.25 points (points are based on total prize money divided by 1,000).

Ahead of the tournament getting underway, two-time champion Van Gerwen has called for a change to the PDC rankings, given the increased amount of importance that the World Championship has in terms of the top of the leaderboard.

He said: "We all know that the worlds is the most important one [for the rankings], but it's not in comparison anymore, if you ask me my honest opinion.

"But yeah, they should have a points system. I say it every year, but I'm not the organisation. It's a question you need to ask to the PDC."

But Humphries has an alternative view, suggesting that Van Gerwen may not have the same opinion if he himself was ranked number one.

"I mean, that's what someone would say if they're not at the top, wouldn't they?" he told Online Darts.

"That's what someone would say if they're not me or Luke, you would say, 'Let's have a points system'. Because it subtracts towards you and it's in your favour then, isn't it?

"I don't really care whether it's points-based or money. If it was points-based, we still be the top two. I don't think anything changes. I think I've made 15 major finals in the last two years.

He added: "I don't think if you do it on points that it would be any different, to be honest. I think Luke would still be number one, and I'd still be number two [in a points system]."