Barry Hearn risks getting slaughtered after naming his top five darters: DOESN’T include the current world champion…
Barry Hearn, a key figure in darts and the president of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), recently revealed his top five darts players of all time on his podcast, The Barry Hearn Show. Hearn, who previously sparked debate with his ranking of the top five snooker players, acknowledged that his lists often stir controversy. He explained that his choices are based on criteria like consistency, longevity, and sustained success.
At the top of his darts list is Phil Taylor, a player Hearn credits with transforming the sport through his remarkable career and sixteen world titles. Hearn places Michael van Gerwen in the second spot, recognizing his decade-long dominance and ability to throw impressive averages. Third on the list is Scotland’s Gary Anderson, a two-time world champion with a solid record over the past decade and more.
In fourth place, Hearn includes Raymond van Barneveld, highlighting his long-standing competitiveness and achievements across both the BDO and PDC. For the fifth spot, Hearn controversially selects the 17-year-old Luke Littler, praising his commercial impact and potential to inspire the next generation of darts players. Although reigning world champion Luke Humphries was considered, Hearn believes Littler’s early influence has set him apart.
In closing, Hearn noted that Littler’s rising success hints at a new era for the sport, with young talents like Wessel Nijman and Mike de Decker following suit.