Luke Littler’s Operation Desert Storm was a significant success – and now the birthday boy needs to cram his diary with as many exams as potential.
The teenage sensation of darts turns the ripe previous age of 17 on Sunday – sufficiently old to begin driving classes, however he threw away his L-plates on the oche way back. A surprising triumph on the Bahrain Masters, the place he lifted the Palm D’Or trophy on his debut as a Professional Darts Corporation Tour card holder, confirmed what we already knew: This child is particular.
And after an ideal nine-darter in opposition to apply associate Nathan Aspinall, adopted by a ‘huge fish’ 170 checkout in opposition to Gerwyn Price and a shocking 8-5 win in opposition to three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen within the ultimate, he mentioned: “I cannot wait to play in everything.”
READ MORE: PDC Darts need to finish ‘pub-based picture’ regardless of success of kebab-scoffing Luke Littler
READ MORE: Darts chiefs reckon the game can now rule the world because of 16-year-old Luke Littler
Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and much extra
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we wish you to hitch us!
Through the app, we’ll ship you the sassiest showbiz tales, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…together with the newest breaking information after all.
To be part of our group, all it’s a must to do to hitch is click on on this hyperlink, choose ‘Join Chat’ and also you’re in!
No one will have the ability to see who has enroll and nobody can ship messages apart from the Daily Star staff. We additionally deal with our group members to competitions, particular presents, promotions, and adverts from us and our companions.
If you don’t like our group, you possibly can try any time you want. To go away our group click on on the identify on the high of your display and select Exit group. If you’re curious, you possibly can learn our Privacy Notice.
Littler went to final month’s PDC World Championship ranked No.164 on this planet earmarked as a vivid prospect. In 4 weeks, he has taken down 5 ex-world champions in two tournaments, reached the ultimate at Ally Pally, banked £220,000 in prize cash and shot to fame because the poster boy of darts.
His subsequent task, the two-day Dutch Darts Masters on Friday, can be a trial by decibels with Van Gerwen enjoying on dwelling soil. But there was a scrumptious irony to Littler’s newest triumph, which added to his a million followers on Instagram – as a result of MVG had waved away Luke the Nuke’s bandwagon at Ally Pally, cheerfully mentioning: “He’s won f***-all.”
Will Luke Littler dominate darts in 2024? Tell us within the feedback part under
(Image: BIC)
Well, Michael, he is lifted the primary trophy of the season now, though even the Warrington whizzkid was shocked to strike gold within the desert. He mentioned: “I wasn’t anticipating something. I simply came visiting to Bahrain, considering I wished to win my first spherical recreation and see who I might play within the subsequent spherical.
“But I’ve gained all my video games and received over the road in opposition to Michael, who continues to be one of many easiest, and now I can’t wait to play in all the pieces. My supervisor requested me after the World Championship ultimate, ‘Do you need to play within the Premier League? It’s gruelling each week, and clearly you’ve got the Pro Tours [floor tournaments] in between.
“I mentioned, ‘Let’s do it – why not? It might by no means occur once more’. That’s how I have a look at it – take these alternatives, they might by no means come spherical once more.
(Image: @OfficialPDC)
“Now I’ve won on my World Series debut, I can’t wait for next week in Holland, but I haven’t set any goals and I don’t want to. My only set goal was to win a game at the Worlds, which would have been a big thing on its own, and I got to the final. I have to take every competition as it comes, game by game, and see who comes out the winner.”
Littler’s performances on the World Championship and his nine-dart occasion piece in Bahrain have already satisfied the old-timers that he is right here to remain. Former world champion Keith Deller, awarded an MBE within the New Year Honours List, posted on his X (previously Twitter) web page: “I thought we would only see one Phil Taylor, but it looks like another one is coming.
“The PDC have the biggest gem in world sport in Luke the Nuke – he has all the top boys thinking how to stop him in the next few years.”
(Image: BIC)
Van Gerwen was gracious in defeat on Friday evening however he joined one other a number of world champion, Gary Anderson, in warning Littler his fame can be accompanied by a cacophony of peripheral noise.
MVG mentioned: “Everyone says he is a new kid on the block, but everyone knew what he is capable of. The crowds, the television companies, everyone wants to make him bigger – but he’s already a good player. I know you want to push him, but let him grow, let him do his things, don’t push him too much.
“Of course we all know he’s a good player, but give him his time and everything will come, no problem.”