Luke Littler wins PDC title on debut as 17-year-old carries on sensational type
Luke Littler has received his first Players Championship occasion on the first time of asking – beating Ryan Searle in a high-quality ultimate.
Littler was making his debut within the first flooring occasion of the season on Monday, having solely damaged onto the mainstream darting scene over the previous couple of months. The 17-year-old was runner-up to Luke Humphries throughout his first look on the World Championship in January, and he adopted that up by successful the Bahrain Darts Masters.
He subsequently misplaced within the ultimate of the Dutch Darts Masters, earlier than making his debut within the Premier League. Littler has misplaced out within the semi-finals in his two makes an attempt within the weekly competitors to this point.
READ MORE: Luke Humphries whitewashed 6-0 with 81 common leaving PDC commentators shocked
Thanks to his run at Ally Pally, Littler moved as much as no.31 on the earth, guaranteeing him a Tour Card and a spot in each ProfessionalTour occasion. He took half within the first event of the season on Monday and, predictably, dismantled the competitors.
He claimed his first Players Championship victory with a slender 7-6 win over Searle within the ultimate. In a topsy-turvy affair, Littler simply got here out on prime to safe the £15,000 prime prize. The teenager nailed a bull end to maneuver inside a leg of successful in Wigan, just for Searle to interrupt again and convey the sport to 7-7.
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(Image: Shane Healey/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)
Littler needed to do it the exhausting manner as he took to the oche towards the throw within the ultimate leg. But two ton plus visits stole the darts. The darting sensation then checked out on double 20 to win 8-7, ending with 110 common.
It capped off a memorable debut for Luke the Nuke, who began off with a 6-3 win over Jim Williams, averaging 105. He adopted that up with victories over Luke Woodhouse and Italian debutant Michele Turetta, who was on the fallacious finish of a nine-darter from the teenager sensation.
(Image: PDC)
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 massive boys within the Premier League.
Venues might be packed out to see the brand new darting icon tackle the largest 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 all the pieces it’s worthwhile to know in regards to the event.
Subsequent successes towards Cameron Menzies and James Hurrell arrange a semi-final with Alan Souter, whom he dispatched 7-6. Littler then overcame Searle, with followers declaring the conflict as an early contender for match of the yr.
“Maybe we have seen the best ever PC event final… Congrats Luke Littler, well done Ryan Searle,” one fan shared on social media. While one other added: “Absolutely insane quality in that final between Littler and Searle!”
“Littler is winning the lot aint he. Time pack it in for everyone else,” a 3rd joked. And one other added: “Early match of the year contender that final…Littler is going to win loads this year.”
Speaking afterwards, Littler stated: “Yeah [it’s a dream come true]. Me and my manager know what I have to do to qualify for the Matchplay and the Grand Prix. I know I’ve got about 13 or 14 ProTours before the Matchplay but it’s always good to get off to a good start.
“I need to try to qualify for all the pieces as a result of that is what I’ve to do. I’ve to play within the flooring tournaments and hopefully qualify for all the pieces else.
“I’m used to playing in these little boxes on the development tour. My game is there and I know I can beat anyone and I’m happy I’ve won. The development tour helped but I can throw really well on the floor as well as on the stage.”
