Luke Littler was little more than a star for the future 12 months ago.
His rise to the top has been pretty well documented – there was the Paddy Power PDC World Championship, only falling short in the final to Luke Humphries. The Runcorn-born sensation went on to win the Premier League in the spring.
However, Sunday evening was his biggest triumph yet – dismantling Martin Lukeman 16-3 in the final of the Grand Slam of Darts. It was his 10th title in 11th month, notching his career earnings up to more than £1million for the season.
The numbers are sublime. The Grand Slam of Darts’ £150,000 jackpot wasn’t quite his season’s best – that came with the £315,000 windfall he pocketed from the Premier League of Darts. Littler has also nailed four nine-darters this season (two of which were televised), while hitting more 180s than any other player.
The newly-minted millionaire is now No.5 in the world – having started the season as No.164. Speaking after his win, Littler said: “I’ve got three days off before we head to Minehead, I hope I can go deep in the Players Championship finals – and then it’s on to the big one.
(Image: Sky Sports)
“The World Championship changed me, (changed) my family. Now the months have gone on, the tournaments, I’m just getting used to it all and I’m going to have to get used to it for a very long time. I am enjoying it.”
Littler then slammed fans who had been reminding him of first-round exits in the past couple of majors: “I wanted to come here, go deep and show I’m still there.
(Image: Sky Sports)
“It’s been a long week, but I’m glad the hard work has paid off. I knew, coming into the tournament, that if I managed to get my hands on the trophy I would be No.5 in the world – and now I hope I can go even higher.”
Littler is now turning his attention back to the Ally Pally – where this whirlwind started 12 months ago. And it will take someone or something very special to stop him.