Defending champion Luke Littler was knocked out in the opening round of the World Grand Prix after a 3‑0 loss to Luke Woodhouse in Leicester.

Defending champion falls early

The 2025 World Grand Prix title holder, who entered the event as the top seed, failed to secure a single set against the younger Woodhouse. The match was played on Tuesday, the first day of the tournament, and was characterised by Woodhouse’s steady scoring and precise finishing.

Woodhouse's breakthrough win

Woodhouse, who has been a regular in the early stages of the PDC circuit, used a series of high-scoring 180s and accurate double‑finish attempts to overcome Littler. The victory marks his first win in a major televised event and raises his profile among the tournament’s top competitors.

Implications for the tournament

Littler’s exit opens up the draw for the remaining seeds, giving an opportunity to the next highest-ranked players to advance further than expected. The outcome may also shift the momentum of the event, with Woodhouse now positioned as a dark horse in the later stages. Analysts have noted that the early loss of a defending champion is uncommon in the World Grand Prix, a tournament that has traditionally seen title holders progress past the first round.

Looking ahead

Woodhouse will face the winner of the match between Darren Webster and Stephen Bunting in the second round, while other seeded players will await their opponents in the subsequent stages. The tournament, which is part of the PDC World Series, is scheduled to continue through the following week, with the final set to take place on Saturday. Fans and pundits alike will be watching to see whether Woodhouse can maintain his form and challenge for the title.