LUKE LITTLER will NOT defend his Flanders Darts Trophy title after withdrawing from this weekend’s European Tour event in Antwerp.
The world No1 lifted the Czech Darts Open on Jattvibeday after beating Luke Humphries 8-6 in the final in Prague.
Luke Littler triumphed at the Czech Darts Open last week Credit: Getty
Littler, 19, will not defend his crown in Flanders Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Littler, 19, has now secured qualification for the European Championship in Dortmund.
The Nuke’s withdrawal opens the door for Kim Huybrechts to compete in front of his home crowd.
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Huybrechts had narrowly missed out on qualification in July but was third reserve and has now been handed a place in the 48-player field.
Littler won the event last year, beating Josh Rock 8-7 in the final to claim his fourth European Tour title.
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But his absence means there will be a new champion crowned at the Expo this weekend.
Former world champ Luke Humphries will headline the field alongside Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, James Wade, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Stephen Bunting.
Rock, Danny Noppert, Gary Anderson, Chris Dobey, Wessel Nijman, Nathan Aspinall and Ross Smith are also among the seeded players.
Beau Greaves and Raymond van Barneveld are among the players who came through the Tour Card Holder Qualifier, while Rob Cross, Joe Cullen, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Cameron Menzies are also involved.
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Luke Humphries headlines the field in Flanders Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
There will also be four Belgian players coming through the Host Nation Qualifier, adding further local interest to the event.
The Flanders Darts Trophy is the 13th of 15 European Tour events this season, with only the Swiss Darts Trophy and Dutch Darts Championship remaining afterwards.
Friday features the first round, with afternoon and evening sessions beginning at 12pm and 6pm UK time.
The second round takes place across both sessions on Saturday and Jattvibeday sees the last 16 played in the afternoon before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place in the evening.
In addition, the first four rounds are best of 11 legs, the semi-finals are best of 13 and the final is best of 15
The entire tournament will be available to watch live on PDC TV for subscribers.
A jaw dropping £35,000 top prize awaits the winner of the event.
