Luke Littler landed an incredible nine-dart finish on his way to securing a debut European Tour title at the Belgian Darts Open in Wieze on Sunday.
The 17-year-old sensation continued his remarkable start to life as a PDC Tour Card holder by adding a third title of 2024, defying a 108 average from Rob Cross in a thrilling deciding-leg final.
Littler, who hit a nine-darter en route to Bahrain Masters and Players Championship 1 glory, struck perfection again to raise the roof at a sold-out Oktoberhallen.
With the score at 5-5, the Premier League star kicked off the 11th leg of the final with a 177 and followed up with a 180, before taking out 144 to register the 16th nine-darter in Euro Tour history.
Cross, however, went on to claim the next two legs to go 7-6 up, but only for Littler to force a decider before powering in his sixth maximum of the match and converting double five to clinch the title.
“I’m just glad to get over the line,” said Littler. “I lost the two legs after I hit the nine so I’m relieved to get the win.
“It’s always good to be involved in a good game; me and Rob have battles and we bring the best out of each other.
“I’m really happy to hit a nine-darter, I prefer 144 to 141 to finish a nine because when the first treble 20 goes in I’m confident of following it with another.
“I know the spotlight is on me because I’ve done so well but I just play my darts and get on with it. I just do what I do.”
Littler began the day by defeating Damon Heta 6-3 with a 101.2 average to avenge his defeat in the UK Open quarter-finals a week ago.
He then overcame Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 in the Last Eight with a blistering 110 average, before racing past an irate Ricardo Pietreczko 7-3 in the semi-finals with a 104.2 average.
A high-quality final saw Cross break throw to open up an early 2-1 lead, before Littler broke back and hit the front at 4-3.
Cross replied with successive legs as he took out 80 to regain the upper-hand at 5-4, but three missed darts at doubles in leg ten allowed Littler to restore parity.
Littler then produced a moment of magic with his first Euro Tour nine-darter to move 6-5 ahead, but only for Cross to respond with an 81 finish for an 11-darter and a 121 checkout on the bull for a 12-darter to lead 7-6.
With Cross waiting on double ten for the match, Littler picked out double five with his last dart to force a decider – in which he found a timely maximum and pinned double five again for a 14-darter to seal the deal.
The £30,000 top prize all but assures Littler of a debut appearance in July’s Betfred World Matchplay, as well as the World Grand Prix and European Championship later in the year.
Cross was left stunned after averaging 108 in the final, admitting: “I wanted a big display and I got a big display.
“I missed a few chances but I can’t be bitter about them.
“Luke is special, he has such a bright future in front of him; the nine was amazing.
“I’ve loved playing in front of this crowd, I’ve really enjoyed my weekend here.”
Cross began the day with a 6-1 rout of Danny Noppert, before thrashing Ryan Searle 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
The 2018 World Champion recorded a third straight 97 average as he denied Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the semi-finals but was agonisingly denied his second European Tour title inside 12 months.
Belgian Darts Open 2024 Day Three Results
Sunday March 10
Afternoon Session
Third Round
Ryan Joyce 4-6 Ricardo Pietreczko
Peter Wright 4-6 Jonny Clayton
Damon Heta 3-6 Luke Littler
Joe Cullen 3-6 Jermaine Wattimena
Luke Humphries 3-6 Ryan Searle
Rob Cross 6-1 Danny Noppert
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Gary Anderson
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Mike De Decker
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2 Jonny Clayton
Luke Littler 6-2 Jermaine Wattimena
Ryan Searle 2-6 Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Semi-Finals
Ricardo Pietreczko 3-7 Luke Littler
Rob Cross 7-3 Gerwyn Price
Final
Luke Littler 8-7 Rob Cross – *Littler hits a nine-darter*
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