Luke Littler already had silverware all but wrapped up before he even threw his first dart in the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship against Michael van Gerwen
Luke Littler already had the Ballon d’Art all but wrapped up before he took to the oche against Michael van Gerwen.
Littler, 17, had made his way to his second consecutive Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship on Friday evening as he squared up with Mighty Mike. And he would be leaving the clash with silverware – even if the Dutchman won his fourth title.
The Nuke’s scoring power when it comes to landing 180s meant he was very likely to take home the Ballon d’Art even if he lost against MVG. Runcorn-born Littler had found 64 maximums ahead of the clash, 21 more than MVG.
Littler was also chasing down Michael Smith’s all-time tournament record of 83 – an eye-watering number which Bully Boy managed in 2022, when he finished runner-up to Peter Wright.
Paddy Power has donated £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every maximum scored in the tournament. A spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “Football has the Ballon d’Or, so it’s only right that darts has the Ballon d’Art.
“It will be handed to the player who is literally single-handedly responsible for raising the largest sum of money for Prostate Cancer UK during the tournament.”
Luke Humphries claimed the title last year, alongside the World Championship itself, and he joked ahead of his opener with Thibault Tricole he’d like to keep the trophy on his mantle piece.
“I want to go back-to-back with in the Ballon d’Art for most 180s at the tournament too. It’s one of the best trophies I’ve ever seen!
“I’ve had in in my house for the last year and was the first player ever to lift it and I’d love to keep it on my mantlepiece.
It really is something special and it’s for a great cause as well with Paddy Power donating £1,000 for every 180 thrown to Prostate Cancer UK – and a bonus £60,000 for any nine-darters.”