Luke Littler storms to Players Championship 15 title
Luke Littler secured his second Players Championship title of 2024 with victory at Event 15 in Milton Keynes on Wednesday, denying fellow youngster Wessel Nijman in the final.
Littler continued his fairy-tale debut year on the PDC circuit by sealing a seventh title and becoming the first player to clinch multiple ProTour titles this term.
The 17-year-old sensation won the season’s opening Players Championship event in February, which sparked a remarkable sequence of 14 different winners from as many events.
However, Littler ended that pattern at the Marshall Arena, overturning a 6-5 deficit against an in-form Nijman to deny the Dutchman his first senior PDC title.
Littler, making his first appearance since a first round defeat to Michael van Gerwen at the Betfred World Matchplay a fortnight ago, began his route to glory with successive ton-plus averages in wins over Boris Krcmar and Pascal Rupprecht.
The Premier League champion then overcame Jonny Clayton to progress to the Last 16, before closing out a brace of 6-4 win over Rhys Griffin and Krzysztof Ratajski.
He continued his charge with a 7-2 rout of Chris Dobey in the semi-finals, averaging 103 to set up a showdown against fellow power-scorer Nijman.
Trailing 2-0, Nijman reeled off four straight legs – notably landing a majestic 160 checkout – to seize the initiative, only for Littler to hit back with legs of 13 and 11 darts to level at four apiece.
This was followed by a run of four consecutive breaks of throw, though Nijman was left to rue missing two darts for a 7-5 lead as Littler stole a march in the closing stages to get over the line.
“I know what Wessel is capable of,” insisted Littler, who maintains his incredible record of winning a title every month this year.
“I’ve seen him dominate the last weekend of the Development Tour, but it was a good final, and I’m happy to be the only player with two [ProTour] titles this year!
“I’ve not really picked up a dart since the World Matchplay, so to come here and win is even better.
“I’ve got to back myself to win almost everything. With the standard of the other players I probably can’t do that, but I’d love to win another major title this year.”
Fresh from his dominance on the Development Tour, Nijman continued his prolific form by reaching his first PDC ProTour final.
The 24-year-old racked up a hat-trick of Development Tour titles at the Marshall Arena last weekend, and he picked up from where left off upon his return to the venue.
Nijman produced four ton-plus averages to storm into the quarter-finals, dispatching his compatriots Christian Kist and Gian van Veen, before Graham Hall and Darren Beveridge were sent packing.
He then edged out Gary Anderson in a gripping Last Eight tie and went on to defy a 104 average from Damon Heta to seal his spot in the final.
Heta registered eye-catching 108 and 112 averages in dispatching Ritchie Edhouse and Stefan Bellmont respectively, dropping just eight legs en route to the semis.
The Australian number one was joined in the Last Four by Dobey – who produced a trio of ton-plus averages along the way.
The former Masters champion averaged 107 and 105 to see off Jermaine Wattimena and Mike De Decker respectively, having also dumped out World Matchplay champion Luke Humphries in the Last 16.
The performance of the day, however, went to Gary Anderson – who produced an astronomical 123.83 average in his third round demolition of Andrew Gilding.
The two-time World Champion reeled off legs of 11, 12, 12, 13, 13 and 13 darts to cap off an inspired display, before succumbing in the quarter-finals alongside De Decker, Ratajski and Bellmont.
Players Championship 15 Results
Wednesday July 31
First Round
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Keegan Brown
Jurjen van der Velde 6-5 Simon Whitlock
Cameron Menzies 6-3 Mensur Suljovic
Aden Kirk 6-2 Richie Burnett
Stefan Bellmont 6-5 Ricardo Pietreczko
Martijn Dragt 6-3 Jules van Dongen
Adam Gawlas 6-4 Daryl Gurney
Madars Razma 6-4 Kim Huybrechts
Keane Barry 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Lee Evans 6-3 Adam Hunt
Radek Szaganski 6-2 Brendan Dolan
Benjamin Reus 6-4 George Killington
Damon Heta 6-1 Arron Monk
Darryl Pilgrim 6-2 Nick Kenny
Ritchie Edhouse 6-3 Jose De Sousa
Steve Lennon 6-4 Michele Turetta
Darren Beveridge 6-2 Gerwyn Price
Jeffrey Sparidaans 6-3 Daniel Klose
Joe Cullen 6-5 Robbie Knops
Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-5 Stephen Burton
Gian van Veen 6-5 Mickey Mansell
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Christian Kist
Danny Lauby 6-5 Ryan Joyce
Graham Hall 6-2 Jelle Klaasen
Gary Anderson 6-2 Andy Boulton
Connor Scutt 6-1 Owen Roelofs
Andrew Gilding 6-3 Tim Wolters
Chris Landman 6-5 John Henderson
Rob Cross 6-2 Patrick Geeraets
Berry van Peer 6-3 Owen Bates
Raymond van Barneveld 6-1 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Jim Williams 6-4 Steve Beaton
Ross Smith 6-2 Maik Kuivenhoven
Jeffrey De Zwaan 6-1 Callum Goffin
Kevin Doets 6-1 Danny van Trijp
Rhys Griffin 6-5 Robert Grundy
Luke Littler 6-4 Boris Krcmar
Pascal Rupprecht 6-5 Christian Perez
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Matthew Dennant
Nathan Rafferty 6-5 Richard Veenstra
Andy Baetens 6-2 Josh Rock
Joshua Richardson 6-5 Niels Zonneveld
Alan Soutar 6-2 Luke Woodhouse
Vincent van der Voort 6-4 Jamie Hughes
Ryan Searle 6-3 Martin Lukeman
Robert Owen 6-4 Lukas Wenig
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Jitse Van der Wal
Jeffrey De Graaf 6-3 William O’Connor
Luke Humphries 6-4 Paul Krohne
Gabriel Clemens 6-0 Leighton Bennett
Callan Rydz 6-0 Mervyn King
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-4 Ian White
Chris Dobey 6-2 Geert Nentjes
Karel Sedlacek 6-2 Josh Payne
Michael Smith 6-0 Ronny Huybrechts
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Thibault Tricole
Danny Noppert 6-5 Wesley Plaisier
Ryan Meikle 6-2 Graham Usher
James Wade 6-5 Ricky Evans
Scott Williams 6-1 James Hurrell
Martin Schindler 6-3 Adam Warner
Dylan Slevin 6-2 Dom Taylor
Mike De Decker 6-4 Peter Wright
Rowby-John Rodriguez 6-3 Florian Hempel
Second Round
Dave Chisnall 6-5 Jurjen van der Velde
Cameron Menzies 6-4 Aden Kirk
Stefan Bellmont 6-1 Martijn Dragt
Adam Gawlas 6-2 Madars Razma
Lee Evans 6-5 Keane Barry
Benjamin Reus 6-3 Radek Szaganski
Damon Heta 6-3 Darryl Pilgrim
Ritchie Edhouse 6-2 Steve Lennon
Darren Beveridge 6-5 Jeffrey Sparidaans
Joe Cullen 6-1 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Gian van Veen
Graham Hall 6-5 Danny Lauby
Gary Anderson 6-1 Connor Scutt
Andrew Gilding 6-4 Chris Landman
Berry van Peer 6-3 Rob Cross
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Jim Williams
Jeffrey De Zwaan 6-5 Ross Smith
Rhys Griffin 6-4 Kevin Doets
Luke Littler 6-1 Pascal Rupprecht
Jonny Clayton 6-1 Nathan Rafferty
Andy Baetens 6-1 Joshua Richardson
Alan Soutar 6-2 Vincent van der Voort
Robert Owen 6-3 Ryan Searle
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Jeffrey De Graaf
Luke Humphries 6-0 Gabriel Clemens
Callan Rydz 6-5 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Chris Dobey 6-5 Karel Sedlacek
Jermaine Wattimena 6-4 Michael Smith
Danny Noppert 6-4 Ryan Meikle
Scott Williams 6-5 James Wade
Dylan Slevin 6-3 Martin Schindler
Mike De Decker 6-2 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Last 32
Cameron Menzies 6-1 Dave Chisnall
Stefan Bellmont 6-5 Adam Gawlas
Lee Evans 6-5 Benjamin Reus
Damon Heta 6-0 Ritchie Edhouse
Darren Beveridge 6-2 Joe Cullen
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Graham Hall
Gary Anderson 6-1 Andrew Gilding
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Berry van Peer
Rhys Griffin 6-2 Jeffrey De Zwaan
Luke Littler 6-1 Jonny Clayton
Alan Soutar 6-3 Andy Baetens
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Robert Owen
Luke Humphries 6-3 Callan Rydz
Chris Dobey 6-4 Jermaine Wattimena
Danny Noppert 6-3 Scott Williams
Mike De Decker 6-4 Dylan Slevin
Last 16
Stefan Bellmont 6-4 Cameron Menzies
Damon Heta 6-3 Lee Evans
Wessel Nijman 6-2 Darren Beveridge
Gary Anderson 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Luke Littler 6-4 Rhys Griffin
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Alan Soutar
Chris Dobey 6-4 Luke Humphries
Mike De Decker 6-3 Danny Noppert
Quarter-Finals
Damon Heta 6-1 Stefan Bellmont
Wessel Nijman 6-5 Gary Anderson
Luke Littler 6-4 Krzysztof Ratajski
Chris Dobey 6-1 Mike De Decker
Semi-Finals
Wessel Nijman 7-5 Damon Heta
Luke Littler 7-2 Chris Dobey
Final
Luke Littler 8-6 Wessel Nijman
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Nine-dart Luke Littler lands dream debut Premier League Darts title
Luke Littler landed an incredible nine-darter in the final as he claimed the 2024 Premier League Darts title at The O2 in London on Thursday.
An historic night in the capital saw 17-year-old Littler become the youngest major champion in PDC history as he defeated Luke Humphries 11-7 in a pulsating final.
Littler capped off an unforgettable campaign by becoming the latest new name on the Premier League trophy, following on from finishing top of the league table after 16 weeks of competition.
In front of 14,000 fans – the biggest UK crowd in PDC history – Littler avenged his defeat to Humphries in January’s World Championship final with an astonishing performance which featured yet another perfect leg.
“I’m a major winner! It feels incredible,” said Littler, who averaged 105.6 and fired in ten 180s to secure the biggest title of his fledgling career.
“It’s so good to win in front of my family. I was saying to Luke, I didn’t know what to do after I won!
“There were people doubting me when I was selected, but now I’ve picked up the trophy. They’re not doubting me anymore!
“I have been practising really hard today. I was so focused, and I’m just so happy to add my name to the list of major winners.”
Littler punished a slow start from Humphries to open up a 2-0 lead, but the world number one opened his account with an 11-dart break in leg three, before restoring parity at two apiece.
The Warrington wonderkid hit back with legs of 12, 13 and 11 darts on throw to retain the upper-hand, though a tenacious Humphries – aided by a crucial 116 finish in leg eight – levelled at 5-5.
However, Littler then conjured up a staggering spell to pull clear, returning from the break with a nine-darter, to become only the second player alongside Phil Taylor to achieve perfection in a Premier League final.
Littler then backed up his nine-dart heroics with legs of 14 and 12 darts to move 8-5 ahead, and another 12-dart hold in leg 15 moved him to within two legs of history.
Humphries refused to relent and delivered an outrageous tops-tops 134 finish to reduce the arrears to 7-9, but an inspired Littler wasn’t to be denied, wrapping up proceedings with back-to-back 13-darters.
“I was trying to stick in there, but credit to Luke, he was fantastic there,” admitted Humphries – who averaged 102.5 in defeat.
“Tonight Luke was much stronger than I was, and if you look at the season as a whole, he deserved to be Premier League champion.
“I think we’re the best two players in the world at the moment, and it was another great battle. I just love playing him, and we’re going to have plenty more battles in the future.
“I’m really proud to make the final. Of course I’m gutted not to win, but I’ve made six out of seven major finals now, and I can only build on this.”
Earlier in the night, Humphries dethroned reigning champion Michael van Gerwen in convincing fashion, averaging 101 to close out a 10-5 success.
The World Champion – buoyed by a brilliant 132 finish in leg four – reeled off six consecutive legs to seize control and establish an emphatic 8-3 advantage.
Van Gerwen responded with 105 and 86 checkouts to reduce the arrears, only for Humphries to hit back with a magnificent 125 combination on tops to ally any fears of a late fightback.
In the opening semi-final, Littler stormed through after overcoming Michael Smith by the same 10-5 scoreline.
Smith had won five of the pair’s seven meetings in this year’s league phase, but the teenage superstar made amends in some style, firing in a ton-plus average to progress.
Littler made an electrifying start to the contest, following up a 144 checkout with back-to-back 12-darters to race into a 4-1 lead, and he maintained that buffer throughout.
Smith began to falter on the outer ring midway through the contest, as Littler followed up a clinical 107 kill in leg 12 with an 11-dart hold on his way to victory.
Littler – who now sets his sights on US Masters glory in New York next week – pockets £315,000 in total from this year’s Premier League, with four nightly wins earning him a £40,000 bonus in addition to the £275,000 top prize.
BetMGM Premier League Darts 2024 – Play-Offs Results
Thursday May 23
Semi-Finals
Luke Littler 10-5 Michael Smith
Luke Humphries 10-5 Michael van Gerwen
Final
Luke Littler 11-7 Luke Humphries – *Littler hits a nine-darter*
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Luke Littler v Michael Smith live stream | Premier League Darts semi-final preview
Teenage sensation Luke Littler and former World Champion Michael Smith collide in the opening semi-final of 2024 Premier League Darts at The O2 on Thursday.
The box office duo are vying to become the eighth different BetMGM Premier League champion since the event began in 2005 and will kick off Finals Night in front of a PDC UK record crowd of 14,000.
At 17, Littler is bidding to become the youngest major champion in PDC history and cap off a remarkable debut campaign which has seen him finish top of the table with four weekly titles to his name.
The World Championship runner-up had to wait until Night Nine to secure his first weekly title but went on to dominate the latter stages of the campaign to end with a record-equalling 40 points.
In the midst of the Premier League season, Littler has also stormed to two European Tour titles and a Players Championship, climbing to 25th in the Order of Merit after less than five months as a Tour Card holder.
The Warrington wonderkid, however, faces a semi-final opponent who has proven to be his nemesis in this tournament so far, with Smith having won five of their seven fixtures.
A dress rehearsal for this showdown saw Smith narrowly prevail 6-5 in last week’s semi-finals in Sheffield on his way to securing a second weekly title of the season.
Smith left it late to book his place in the play-offs for the third time, defeating Nathan Aspinall 6-3 in their decisive shootout for fourth spot.
Smith’s first major final appearance came here six years ago when he was thrashed 11-4 by Van Gerwen, and he had to wait a further four years and endure seven more final defeats before eventually picking up a first major title at the 2022 Grand Slam.
While the tournament stats point in favour of Littler, ‘Bully Boy’ will be encouraged by his dominant head-to-head record and will be determined to maintain that over the extended format.
The match gets under way from 7.15pm BST and will be contested over the best of 19 legs, with either Luke Humphries or Michael van Gerwen awaiting the winner in the final later in the evening.
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Luke Littler triumphs in Aberdeen to clinch Premier League play-off qualification
Luke Littler confirmed his place in the Premier League Darts Play-Offs by claiming his fourth weekly title of the campaign in Aberdeen on Thursday.
The teenage sensation continued his remarkable winning run as he made it back-to-back weekly titles to storm further clear at the top of the table on a night which also saw Luke Humphries seal his place in the top four.
Having triumphed in Liverpool last week before going on to secure the Austrian Darts Open title over the weekend, Littler extended his unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions with victory at the P&J Live.
The 17-year-old recorded a second deciding-leg win over Nathan Aspinall in the space of seven days before thrashing Michael Smith 6-1 in the quarter-finals and overcoming Rob Cross in the final for the second successive week.
“I’m just delighted to get over the line again and book my place at The O2,” said Littler.
“That was my aim coming into the Premier League, so to have achieved that with two weeks to spare is a great achievement.
“I think I’ve definitely settled myself into the Premier League; the first few weeks were ‘okay’ and since then I’ve learned the routine and won four nights.
“I’ll still be aiming to win the next two nights coming up, and now I can play with freedom. After those nights my focus will be on London.”
Littler survived a match dart from Aspinall in the quarter-finals before averaging 110 with six from seven on the doubles in his semi-final rout of Smith.
The first six legs of the final were shared as Cross landed a 117 checkout and Littler a 107 in a high quality contest.
Cross took out 87 to edge 4-3 in front, but Littler finished 80 and kicked off the ninth leg with seven perfect darts before eventually converting double ten to move 5-4 ahead.
He then registered a sixth maximum before closing out the win on his favourite double 10 for a 14-darter.
Cross’ victories over Michael van Gerwen and Humphries earned him a second successive runner-up finish to keep him in outside contention for a play-off place.
Humphries’ place at The O2 was guaranteed thanks to a walkover against Gerwyn Price – who withdrew due to back injury and saw his own feint Play-Off hopes ended.
Humphries was left to rue one missed match dart as he went down to Cross in a deciding leg in the semi-finals, missing 14 darts at doubles in total during the contest.
Van Gerwen also missed a match dart in his 6-5 defeat to Cross in the quarter-finals despite averaging 108.3, leaving him clinging on to the final play-off place.
Smith’s quarter-final win over home favourite Peter Wright saw him close the gap on Van Gerwen to two points heading into the penultimate night of league action in Leeds next Thursday.
Premier League Darts 2024 Night 14 Results
Thursday May 2
Quarter-Finals
Peter Wright 4-6 Michael Smith
Luke Littler 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Rob Cross
Luke Humphries w/o v Gerwyn Price
Semi-Finals
Michael Smith 1-6 Luke Littler
Rob Cross 6-5 Luke Humphries
Final
Luke Littler 6-4 Rob Cross
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Luke Littler doubles European Tour title tally at the Austrian Darts Open
Luke Littler clinched his second European Tour title of 2024 at the Austrian Darts Open with an 8-4 victory over Joe Cullen in the final in Graz on Sunday.
The 17-year-old won the Belgian Darts Open on his European Tour debut in March and stormed to another £30,000 title in imperious fashion.
The Premier League leader, who secured his third weekly title of the campaign in Liverpool on Thursday, continued his blistering dominance with a series of superb displays at the Steiermarkhalle.
Having opened up with wins over Zoran Lerchbacher and Damon Heta on Friday and Saturday respectively, Littler began the final day by battling past Krzysztof Ratajski and Danny Noppert to reach the semi-finals – where he averaged over 105 for a second time in the event as he demolished Ross Smith 7-2.
Littler then produced a merciless showing in a quick-fire final against Cullen – who had shone throughout the event in his bid to claim a fourth European Tour title.
The opening six legs of the final were shared in 15 darts or less, before Littler posted a third straight 14-darter and broke throw with a 65 finish to lead 5-3.
Cullen responded to punish seven missed darts at doubles from the World Championship finalist in leg nine, but Littler added another 14-darter against the throw to regain his cushion.
He then took out 66 to lead 7-4 before wrapping up the title final style with a 12-darter which ended on the bullseye.
“I’m just happy to get over the line again,” said Littler, who was awarded the traditional green jacket alongside the winner’s trophy after averaging 102.7 in the final.
“It didn’t happen in Sindelfingen but I’ve come here and I’ve put myself right and won another one.
“We started off really well but I think I stuck at it and Joe started to fall off, and I got over the line.
“This weekend has been good, my darts have been good and these guys [the crowd] have helped me so much.”
Cullen had averaged in excess of 102 in his 6-3 wins over Darius Labanauskas, Dave Chisnall and Gian van Veen, before edging out Stephen Bunting 7-5 in the semi-finals.
Despite hitting four doubles from as many attempts in the final, the Bradford ace found himself 17 points behind Littler in the averages in defeat, and he admitted: “I’m disappointed but congratulations to Luke.
“I was not very good – I’m disappointed with the way I played in the final but if you’d have offered me a final before the week started I’d have taken it.
“He played better than me and did what he had to do at the right times. He’s a fantastic talent, I think he’s a generational talent.
“He’s been fantastic all weekend and he’s great for the game.”
Smith had been the runner-up in last weekend’s International Open, and he enjoyed a second successive win over Michael van Gerwen on his way to the semi-finals in Graz.
Bunting’s wins over Daryl Gurney and Martin Schindler on Sunday saw him reach the Last Four for the second time in three events.
International Open winner Schindler was unable to repeat his success in Riesa as he lost out in a deciding leg to Bunting in the quarter-finals, where the Dutch trio of Van Gerwen, Noppert and Gian van Veen also bowed out.
Austrian Darts Open 2024 Day Three Results
Sunday April 28
Afternoon Session
Last 16
Dave Chisnall 3-6 Joe Cullen
Ritchie Edhouse 4-6 Gian van Veen
Daryl Gurney 3-6 Stephen Bunting
Jonny Clayton 3-6 Martin Schindler
Luke Littler 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Josh Rock 3-6 Danny Noppert
Daniel Klose 2-6 Ross Smith
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Peter Wright
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Joe Cullen 6-3 Gian van Veen
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Martin Schindler
Luke Littler 6-5 Danny Noppert
Ross Smith 6-1 Michael van Gerwen
Semi-Finals
Joe Cullen 7-5 Stephen Bunting
Luke Littler 7-2 Ross Smith
Final
Luke Littler 8-4 Joe Cullen
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Luke Littler lands third Premier League Darts weekly title in Liverpool
Luke Littler claimed his third weekly title in the 2024 Premier League courtesy of a 6-2 win over Rob Cross in the final of Night 13 in Liverpool.
Littler, who also triumphed in Belfast and Manchester on Nights Nine and Ten – returned to the top of the league table after claiming another five-point haul at the M&S Bank Arena.
The 17-year-old sensation overcame Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall and Cross to scoop the £10,000 bonus in Merseyside, which sees him establish a five-point lead over his closest rival Luke Humphries.
Littler began Thursday’s action with a 6-3 victory over Price, producing a ton-plus average to end the Welshman’s hopes of reaching the play-offs.
The Nuke then fought back from 5-2 down and survived five match darts from Aspinall to snatch a dramatic deciding-leg victory in the semi-finals.
This set up a showdown against 2018 World Champion Cross in the final, and Littler made an emphatic start, converting 111 and 86 checkouts.
The World Youth Champion extended his lead to 5-0 to threaten the first whitewash win of this year’s competition, before fending off a late rally from Cross to prevail with a 105 average.
“I’m just happy with the way I played,” reflected Littler. “I wanted to come here, pick up some more points, and hopefully I’m in the Play-Offs now.
“I knew what to expect, but I always like to engage with the crowd, and I was just playing with complete freedom up there.
“I’m really happy to pull away from the chasing pack. There’s only three more league nights left now, so maybe I could top the table. That would be amazing.”
Cross had ended his seven-match losing run with victory over Smith in the quarter-finals, averaging 102 and converting 66 per cent of his attempts at doubles.
The 33-year-old later ran out a convincing 6-2 winner against a wasteful Michael van Gerwen to advance to a second weekly final of the season, punishing a staggering 16 missed darts at double from the Dutchman.
Van Gerwen had reeled off five consecutive legs from 3-1 down to deny Peter Wright in the last eight, which mathematically ended the Scot’s hopes of a top-four finish.
Meanwhile, Aspinall boosted his top-four credentials with a commanding quarter-final win against Humphries, averaging 102 and pinning six of his eight attempts at double to close out a 6-2 victory.
Premier League Darts 2024 Night 13 Results
Thursday April 25
Quarter-Finals
Luke Littler 6-3 Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries 2-6 Nathan Aspinall
Peter Wright 3-6 Michael van Gerwen
Michael Smith 4-6 Rob Cross
Semi-Finals
Luke Littler 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen 2-6 Rob Cross
Final
Luke Littler 6-2 Rob Cross
Luke Littler denies nine-dart Gerwyn Price in Manchester to seal successive Premier League Darts weekly titles
Luke Littler made it back-to-back Premier League Darts weekly titles as he denied nine-dart hero Gerwyn Price glory in Manchester.
Littler claimed his first nightly win of the competition in Belfast a week ago, and the teenage prodigy followed that up with Night Ten success at the AO Arena to move top of the table.
The World Championship finalist defeated Price 6-3 to clinch the £10,000 bonus, after the Welshman had raised the roof with a sensational nine-darter in his semi-final victory over Michael Smith.
Earlier in the night, Littler booked his place in the semi-finals with a 6-3 win over a struggling Michael van Gerwen, defying a mid-game fightback to secure a third straight win over the Dutchman.
The 17-year-old then overcame Stockport star Nathan Aspinall, producing clinical checkouts of 131 and 136 en route to a hard-fought 6-4 victory.
This set up a fascinating showdown against nine-dart star Price, and Littler threatened to replicate the Welshman’s heroics in the opening leg of the final, kicking off proceedings with six perfect darts.
Back-to-back 13-darters powered Littler into an early lead, and although Price recovered from a sluggish start, the teenager wrapped up victory with a 100.5 average to extend his winning run to six matches.
“The atmosphere was amazing, and I’m just really glad I won,” reflected Littler, who takes his tally to 23 points.
“I think I’ve definitely settled into the Premier League now.
“In the first five to six weeks I won my first game but I kept losing in the semi-finals, although winning last week gave me so much confidence coming into tonight.
“I was watching Gezzy in the semi-finals and he was 4-0 up averaging 123, but I just made sure I focused and I saved my best performance until last.
“There’s still six weeks to go, so I’ve got to still keep plugging away, and hopefully I will make the Play-Offs.”
Price performed magnificently to leave Manchester with three points to his name, producing ton-topping averages in wins over Peter Wright and Smith.
The 2023 runner-up defied a 109.5 average from Wright to prevail in an epic quarter-final contest, averaging 107.8 and pinning six of his eight attempts at double to advance to the semis.
Price then powered his way through to the final with victory over Smith, producing the first nine-darter in the Premier League since his brace of perfect legs in Belfast in February 2022.
Smith moved to within two points of the Play-Off places with an impressive 6-3 win over Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals, defying a late rally from the world number one – who has now suffered successive quarter-final exits between his European Tour triumph over the Easter weekend.
Meanwhile, local favourite Aspinall leapfrogged Van Gerwen into third spot with victory over Rob Cross in the evening’s opener, producing a ton-plus average to secure his fifth straight win over the 2018 World Champion.
Premier League Darts 2024 Night Ten Results
Thursday April 4
Quarter-Finals
Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Rob Cross
Luke Littler 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Michael Smith 6-3 Luke Humphries
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Peter Wright
Semi-Finals
Nathan Aspinall 4-6 Luke Littler
Michael Smith 3-6 Gerwyn Price – *Price hits a nine-darter*
Final
Luke Littler 6-3 Gerwyn Price
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Luke Littler lands first Premier League Darts weekly title in Belfast
Luke Littler ended his wait for a maiden Premier League Darts weekly title with victory on Night Nine in Belfast.
Littler had finished runner-up on Night Two in Berlin and lost in a further five semi-finals but opened his account in style at the SSE Arena.
The teenage sensation saw off rivals Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen en route to the final – where he defeated his stablemate Nathan Aspinall 6-4 to clinch the £10,000 bonus.
The landmark triumph moves Littler up to second spot in the league table, closing the gap on Humphries to just four points.
“I’m so happy to win my first night,” said Littler. “I changed my throw tonight, just taking that little bit of extra time.
“I practiced a lot more tonight and it has paid off.
“We’re halfway [through the season] and there is still a lot of work to do, but to win one night going into the second half of the season has really got my hopes up and gives me confidence.
“The crowd were unbelievable tonight, just like they have been in the previous eight weeks.
“Now I’m just really looking forward to the big one [in Manchester] next week.”
Littler began the night with a thrilling deciding leg win over Humphries, maintaining his unbeaten record against the world number one since his defeat in the World Championship final.
The Nuke averaged 102 and landed seven 180s as he ended Humphries’ nine-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
He then overcame defending champion Michael van Gerwen 6-3 in the semi-finals with a 99 average and a high checkout of 110 to reach his second final of the competition.
Aspinall opened up the final with a 180, but it was Littler who snatched the opening leg courtesy of a clinical 136 checkout.
Aspinall, though, hit back with three consecutive legs to take command, but a sensational 125 finish on bull, 25, bull saw Littler restore parity at three apiece.
Littler added a 70 finish en route to a fourth straight leg, and after Aspinall saved his skin with a 70 finish in leg nine, the 17-year-old converted double five with his last dart in-hand to complete victory.
Aspinall was appearing in his fourth final in the space of six weeks but fell short of a second title as he cemented his place in the top four.
The World Matchplay champion edged out Gerwyn Price 6-5 in his opener, before storming past Peter Wright 6-2 in the semi-finals.
Wright recorded only his second win of the campaign as he saw off a below-par Rob Cross 6-3 to close the gap on Price to three points.
Van Gerwen ended a run of four consecutive quarter-final defeats as he averaged 105.8 in recovering from 4-2 down to defeat Michael Smith.
Premier League Darts 2024 Night Nine Results
Thursday March 28
Quarter-Finals
Luke Humphries 5-6 Luke Littler
Michael Smith 4-6 Michael van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Rob Cross 3-6 Peter Wright
Semi-Finals
Luke Littler 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Peter Wright
Final
Luke Littler 6-4 Nathan Aspinall
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Raymond van Barneveld hits out at Luke Littler over text message snub
Raymond van Barneveld has blasted Luke Littler after the teenager failed to respond to his idol’s congratulatory text message.
Littler revealed during his historic World Championship run that Van Barneveld was his darting hero growing up, and the pair struck up a bond after ‘The Nuke’ thrashed Barney by four sets to one in the Last 16 at Ally Pally.
Littler has gone on to take the sport by storm this year, landing three nine-darters in as many tournament wins, and has enjoyed celebrity status in the UK, appearing on the Jonathan Ross Show and Comic Relief.
However, Van Barneveld is less than impressed after seemingly being given the cold shoulder by Littler in recent weeks.
Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl, the five-time World Champion said: “So that’s the weird thing about it. I understood then that I am his example. That at the World Championship you don’t chat I can understand, but other tournaments?”
“The other day I walked up to him to shake his hand. Then he took out his earplug for a moment and only said the most necessary thing.”
Van Barneveld then revealed he sent a text message to Littler to congratulate him on his debut European Tour triumph at the Belgian Darts Open.
He added: “To that he responded: ‘Yes, I only respond to text messages. WhatsApp I’m actually not on.’ Well fine, I sent a text message: ‘Congratulations with Wieze.’ And then nothing.
“Fine. Then I’m also a bit done with it. The next time I get asked if I want to do something for him, I’ll pass.”
“I understand that you get thousands text messages but of course I’m not just anyone.
“If I’ve been your inspiration for years, I also expect a text message back. Dude’s on his phone all day, fuck off.”
Barney, was, however, complimentary of Littler’s ability, adding: “This guy is so brilliantly good. He doesn’t worry about anything. He’s playing at seventeen like he’s been doing this for years.”
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Luke Littler reacts to Ricardo Pietreczko incident at the Belgian Darts Open
Luke Littler insists he is puzzled by Ricardo Pietreczko’s reaction following their clash at the Belgian Darts Open on Sunday.
Littler stormed to a 7-3 victory over Pietreczko in the semi-finals of the season’s first European Tour event in Wieze, before going on to clinch the title with the aid of a sensational nine-darter in the final.
An irate Pietreczko confronted Littler at the end of their contest after being seemingly unimpressed by the 17-year-old’s flamboyant checkout routes.
The German posted on his Instagram story shortly after the match: ‘So I appreciate him a lot that you can play such a game at such an age but I hope the arrogance punishes him.’
Littler, however, denies any wrongdoing and believes he has become every player’s “cup final” after taking the sport by storm over the past three months.
“In that game, I didn’t know what I did wrong,” Littler told Sky Sports News.
“A lot of people were saying it was when I was on the 147 finish and I went for treble 19 and tried going tops, bull because I love tops and if I hit the tops then I would have fancied myself for bull.
“But I missed it and he let that get to him throughout the game and I had the job to do.
“I think, ever since I’ve burst onto the scene, every player wants to beat me.
“Even my family and my manager have said you’ve always got to be on my A-game because anyone who plays me now, it’s a cup final for them.”
Littler went on to defeat Rob Cross 8-7 in a remarkable final which saw him land a nine-darter and average 103.7 in securing a debut Euro Tour triumph.
The £30,000 title, the teenager’s third of the season, sees him climb to 28th in the Order of Merit and all but assure himself of a place in July’s World Matchplay.
The World Championship runner-up has now landed a perfect leg in each of the three tournaments he has won this year and sits third in the BetMGM Premier League table going into Night Seven in Nottingham on Thursday.
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Luke Littler lands nine-darter en route to debut Euro Tour title at the Belgian Open
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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