VAN VEEN EYES HUMPHRIES’ WORLD NO2 SPOT

GIAN VAN VEEN has set his sights on Luke Humphries’ world No2 spot.

The world No3 currently trails Humphries by £252,000 on the PDC Order of Merit but has a major opportunity to close the gap over the coming months.

Van Veen, 24, is defending just 12.3 per cent of his ranking prize money, while Humphries is protecting 44.3 per cent of his earnings.

The Dutchman has enjoyed a superb start to the year, reaching the World Championship final and the semi-finals of the World Masters.

Van Veen also has a favourable period ahead after suffering first-round exits at the Matchplay, World Grand Prix, European Championship and Players Championship Finals two years ago.

The Giant’s only run beyond the opening round came at the Grand Slam of Darts, where he reached the quarter-finals.

But Van Veen admits he knows the challenge ahead with Humphries and Luke Littler setting the standard in the sport.

He said: “After the World Championship I knew I wasn’t defending a lot this year. The Matchplay first round, the World Grand Prix first round.

“The only tournament I am defending quite a bit of money in is the Grand Slam, which is far away.

“Of course I am eyeing the No.2 spot. But if I am being honest, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are the best two players in the world right now.

“Both of them have been performing really well lately. Even Luke Humphries. Maybe a couple of months ago you wouldn’t really say he was the No.2 in the world performance-wise.

“But now you can say he is really back. He is performing really well. He is defending the title in Blackpool, but I am sure he can do it again.

“It’s on us to stop him and the other Luke, Littler. We will see what we can do.”

Van Veen knows breaking into the world’s top two would be a huge achievement, but he admits reaching the No.1 spot remains a much bigger obstacle.

The European champ currently sits £1.985 million behind Littler and knows he still has plenty of ground to make up as he targets a clean sweep of the sport’s biggest titles.

He added: “It would feel amazing, of course. But I think with the rankings as they are now, you need to win the World Championship to become world No.1.

“Especially with Luke Littler at the moment. The world ranking is nice and I like being No.3 in the world, and in a couple of months No.2 if it works out well.

“But I don’t really look at that. I just want to do well and perform well at tournaments. I will probably be more proud of the world title than becoming world No.1.

“We will see in the end.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning