Littler Misses Wigan Event After Late Arrival, Manby Replaces Him

Luke Littler missed Wednesday’s Players Championship 33 event in Wigan after arriving too late to complete the strict 11 a.m. registration, the 18 year old confirmed on social media. Littler, the reigning world champion, posted from his car, writing, "Back to bed it is, wonder who they are going to call up," as he abandoned his trip to Robin Park Leisure Centre.

Organisers replaced Littler in the draw with Charlie Manby, ranked 174th on the PDC order of merit, who went on to beat former champion Rob Cross in a last-leg decider. Littler had little to lose competitively from the withdrawal, having already secured a place at next month’s Players Championship Finals in Minehead by winning Players Championship 32 earlier this month.

Several accounts said Littler was held up in road congestion en route to Wigan. In a later social media post after competing the following day, he argued that exceptional lateness had been tolerated for other players and suggested his delay was caused by an incident on the M6. He wrote, "Not the best day today but played some decent stuff, but really glad to hear from a few of the other players that people have been let in almost half an hour late for a...