Phil Taylor reveals Luke Littler’s uncommon high quality that may make him darts GOAT
Phil Taylor won 16 World Championships but says that Luke Littler could become a better player than him because of the defending world champ’s unusual quality
Darts legend Phil Taylor has said Luke Littler is ‘better’ than him and could become the sport’s GOAT – because he is ‘not interested in money’.
Taylor, 65, currently holds the ‘greatest of all time’ mantle after winning a record 16 world championships, 87 major titles and 214 professional tournaments. But he reckons 18-year-old Luke is ‘more talented’ than him and could nuke his record.
He said one of the teen’s strengths was that he was not bothered about cash. The winner of this year’s world championship will pocket a £1m jackpot – the biggest prize ever offered in the history of darts.
But Taylor said Littler would never feel any pressure chasing such huge payouts because he was ‘not money orientated’. ‘The Power’ said: “What is good for his forte for me is he’s not money orientated. He isn’t interested in money.
“He doesn’t have big posh cars or big flashy watches and gold hanging round his neck. He’s just a normal teenager. He’s quiet. He’s on his phone – plays games on his phone like teenagers do. He’s just not fazed by it. He’s so relaxed it’s unbelievable.”
Taylor, who according to the sport’s rich list raked in £8.5m in a playing career spanning three decades, has practised with Littler and reckons the teen could overtake his own astonishing achievements.
While The Power – the first player to hit two nine-dart finishes in the same match – did not start playing properly until wife Yvonne bought him darts for his 25th birthday he said Luke has ‘practised all his life’ since he was ‘about two-years-old’.
Taylor told BBC Radio Stoke the teen’s ability left him stunned when the pair did a darts show together just before the world championship. “He sat there and never threw a dart, went on stage, did 10 180s and had a 110 average – which is crazy,” he said.
“I could never do that. He’s a lot better, more talented, than I was.”
Littler has already given away chunks of his winnings to charity – including the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
He is backing the Daily Star’s campaign to get a knighthood for rugby ace Sir Kevin Sinfield who has raised £11m for the same cause by running seven ultra-marathons in seven days for the past six years.
Littler gave part of his £500,000 prize for winning last year’s world championship to his 21-year-old brother Leon – who rewarded him with a kiss on the head.
