Luke Littler’s next opponent is NHS worker with no Tour Card
David Davies has upset the odds to set up a stunning clash with Luke Littler.
The Welshman, ranked 144 in the world, beat Mario Vandenbogaerde (66) 3-0 at Alexandra Palace to give himself the biggest tie in the second round.
Davies qualified by beating Shane McGuirk in the UK & Ireland Tour Card Holder & Associate Member Qualifier and must now prepare for the world champion on Sunday, December 21.
He will do so without a tour card as he currently participates in the Challenge Tour, the second tier of the circuit, whilst juggling his role as NHS area manager.
Speaking to SportsBoom he said of his job: “I know it’s sort of a cliche but we’re the wheels of the NHS.
“I’ve got 72 drivers across three bases under me. We pick up blood samples and medical notes, so for booking and discharging of operations.
“It’s all over North Wales; it’s a massive operation and that’s what I’m at the top of tree at.”
He’ll be back to work on Monday as he’s having to sparingly use his annual leave.
And Davies has admitted he’s struggling to comprehend the magnitude of his victory and what awaits him in the next round.
“I can’t believe it, I can’t,” he told talkSPORT after his 3-0 win over Vandenbogaerde.
“Qualifying for it was massive, and we actually went on to Caribbean Cruise for two weeks, so the draw was on when I was on day two.
“I was trying to buy Wi-Fi, connect, and it jumped in and started, so I didn’t know who I had, and then I had a load of messages come through.
“Every game’s going to be tough, of course it is, I’m always going to be the underdog, I haven’t got a tour card, but going up there, playing, seeing the crowd, and yeah, to get the win 3-0, I didn’t think it would be 3-0.
“I’m confident in my ability, but I’ll take 3-0 and move on.”
Davies insisted that despite a great 2025, he was only focusing on Vandenbogaerde, not the prospect of Littler.
“It’s massive,” he said while looking ahead to the clash. “When the draw got done, and no disrespect to Mario, everyone bypassed him and just said, ‘Oh you’re playing Luke next’, and I was like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m not thinking about that, I’m thinking about game one, game one’.
“Now game one is over, yes, I’m playing Luke, and he’s absolutely blown the sport through the roof, so, I’m the underdog in every game I play.
“I haven’t got a tour card, so I’m just going to enjoy my moments, and Luke is going to be heavy favourite, which is rightly so, but yes, we’ll see on the night.”
With Littler up next, Davies’ family and friends will be keen to show their support against one of the biggest names in British sport.
However, he joked it’s more likely they will be there to watch his rival.
Asked about his support network, he said: “Yes, they probably will [want tickets], and to be fair they’re probably here to watch Luke, not me.
“The priority is the people that have come this weekend, I always stick by my family and friends, but we’ll pass that bridge when it comes.
“Without them I don’t think I would be here today.
“It’s great to see some familiar faces in the crowd, and the support I have from my family just letting me go and play darts is absolutely massive. It definitely helps me just do what I want to do.”
2026 PDC World Championship Odds and Offer
2026 PDC World Darts Championship Winner Odds:
- Luke Littler – 1/1
- Luke Humphries – 7/2
- Gian van Veen – 12/1
- Gerwyn Price – 14/1
- Josh Rock – 14/1
- Michael van Gerwen – 16/1
- Nathan Aspinall – 40/1
- Stephen Bunting – 40/1
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