Luke Littler holds palms up on Phil Taylor motivation after darts’ £1million prize confirmed
Luke Littler has opened up about potentially breaking Phil Taylor’s record of world titles and why the Power would have struggled amid the competitiveness of today’s game
Luke Littler admits that money will be a driving force in his efforts to catch Phil Taylor’s World Championship record. The Power’s tally of 16 world crowns has looked unbeatable since he won his last in 2013.
However, following the arrival of Littler, who only turned 18 in January, that milestone – along with his 16 World Matchplay titles – is under serious threat. Taylor didn’t win his first world title in the BDO until the age of 29.
Since winning his maiden world title by bulldozing Michael van Gerwen at the start of the year, the Nuke has won the UK Open for the first time and streaked eight points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of week nine in Berlin.
While time is on Littler’s side, the competitiveness of darts today and long-term motivation are potential barriers for Littler to overcome. During an appearance on the Stick to Football show, the Manchester United fan said: “There’s a record there to be broken, but it’s going to take some doing.
“He also won the World Matchplay 16 times, so he’s won two of the big majors 16 times – it’ll take some doing. It [the competition] is a lot better now. You still had Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow – it was still a good field, but nowadays, I think Phil would struggle.”
But he added: “Phil Taylor was my idol. If I can be bothered to stay in darts for that time, I could maybe beat his record. He was 52 when he won his 16th world title. If I want to, then I will.”
On what would keep him going for at least another two or three decades, he confessed: “Probably just the money, to be fair.”
That is an even bigger carrot now after the PDC increased prize money for all major tournaments, including the World Championship. The Ally Pally winner will now bank £1million – double the amount Littler received for winning the last edition in January.
Littler has transcended darts over the last 18 months, with the sport becoming fashionable among youngsters and no longer seen as merely a pub pastime. He added: “I’ve got my own academy set up. There are loads of different academies in Warrington, and up and down the country that have opened, and yeah, I’ve played a big part.”
He is also keen to engage with his young fans, saying: “If you take a picture with a kid, you can make their day, make their year.”
Given the packed darts schedule, Littler admits he rarely practises. He said: “Some people like to practice a lot, but I barely practice during the week.
“We have the Premier League on a Thursday and usually, we’re then flying somewhere on the Friday for an international tournament, so you’re playing Thursday to Sunday. On Monday and Tuesday, we tend to have pro tours and then back to the Premier League on a Thursday. My practice is playing in these tournaments every week.”
