Darts teen who beat Phil Taylor and desires Luke Littler rivalry hits nine-darter
Darts is sufficiently big for a couple of teenage titan to seize the headlines.
And Leighton Bennett seems to eager to take his share of the limelight after changing a nine-darter throughout his first look with a PDC Tour card. The 18-year-old edged Germany’s Lukas Wenig 6-5 on Monday through the first occasion of the 2024 Players Championship and marked the event with one flawless clearance.
‘Boom Boom’ – who has mentioned he desires a rivalry with fellow teen expertise Luke Littler – first exploded in recognition when he beat Phil Taylor in an exhibition match at age 13. And it is evident he stays a potent prospect after his nine-darter on the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan.
READ MORE: Luke Littler wins one other PDC title on debut as 17-year-old carries on sensational kind
READ MORE: Luke Littler branded ‘petulant’ and ‘foolish’ for what he did throughout Players Championship win
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“Now I’ve had chance to settle and think about today I’m absolutely buzzing with hitting a nine-darter and my first on a PDC event can’t wait for a pin now,” Bennett later wrote on X (previously Twitter). “Finally got one but great result making last 32 on my debut of this year’s pro tour. Great start for myself onto tomorrow now PDC Players Championship 2.”
It was a case of “anything you can do” for 17-year-old Littler, nevertheless, as ‘The Nuke’ hit a nine-darter of his personal in opposition to Italy’s Michele Turetta, breaking the report because the youngest to take action on Pro Tour simply 53 minutes after Bennett did the identical. He later went on to beat Ryan Searle 8-7 in Monday’s closing and stroll away with the trophy on his competitors debut.
Would darts profit from extra younger skills competing on the professional degree? Let us know within the feedback part beneath.
(Image: (Image: PDC))
(Image: Getty Images)
“I’d adore it if Luke and I grew to become a brand new Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld type of rivalry,” Bennett previously said regarding competition against his fellow youngster. “It could be nice if we drew one another on the UK Open on the principle stage. I believe that’s what individuals would need.
“I’d want that draw definitely. I think I’ve played Luke 50 or 60 times. I’ve got a better record over him, only because I was a bit older probably. Over the past two years he has battered me more. I beat him last time though, I need to say that obviously!”
Premier League Darts Preview 2024
Kebab-loving Luke Littler took the World Championships by storm. Now the teenager sensation is taking his skills across the UK and Europe as he faces the large boys within the Premier League.
Venues can be packed out to see the brand new darting icon tackle the most important names within the sport – Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwin, Michael Smith, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall over the following few months.
Our particular Premier League preview charts Littler’s astronomic rise, turns the highlight on his rivals for the coveted title, contains an unique column from James Wade, interviews with legends of the sport, present Premier League gamers and PDC chairman Eddie Hearn – and it tells you the whole lot you’ll want to know concerning the match.
Littler has been an unstoppable power in darts since bursting onto the professional scene with a runner-up end on the World Championship final month. And whereas Bennett could also be forward in age, he could have some catching up earlier than he is thought of The Nuke’s equal when it comes to title credentials.
