Teenage sensation Luke Littler’s stunning rise continued as he won the 2024 Premier League Darts title – throwing a stunning nine-darter on his way to glory.
In a thrilling final at London’s 02 Arena on Thursday night, Littler threw a perfect leg against Luke Humphries as he exacted revenge on the man who beat him at the PDC World Darts Championship final in January.
Littler became the first player to hit a nine-dart finish in the Premier League final since Phil Taylor did the same feat twice in 2010.
The 17-year-old was in tears at the end as he became the sport’s youngest ever major champion by beating his close pal and the world number one, Humphries.
Littler relishes the big occasion and put on a show in front of a record 14,000 fans at London’s O2 Arena as he stormed to an 11-7 victory.
His victory pockets him £275,000 in prize money for the second biggest tournament in darts, on top of the £40,000 earned earlier in the campaign.
The £315,000 he has banked in total from the Premier League – which began in February and took place over 17 consecutive nights – more than doubles his career prize money to date.
With the final finely poised at 5-5, Littler took control after a break in play as he hit perfection with a nine-darter that took the roof off at The O2 and then duly followed it up with a break of throw.
Victory for ‘The Nuke’ continues an amazing rise, which started at Alexandra Palace over Christmas. He was sitting his GCSEs 12 months ago, but is now one of the most famous sports stars in the country.
And he is backing it up on the oche, following up titles in the World Series and European Tour with a first major triumph.
He was the best player throughout the tournament, topping the 16-week league phase, having been handed a wildcard entry into the event due to his performance at Ally Pally.
Reacting to his win, Littler told Sky Sports: “One thing I just want to say to all the doubters, hello! I’ve just picked up this [holds trophy aloft]. You’re not doubting me anymore!
“It’s so good to win, but in front of my family and my girlfriend and my manager… I don’t know what to do.”
He added: “After the break I came back on and said to myself, ‘This is it, you’re on to the end’, and I had a spark of six or seven good legs.
“I played my best darts after the break. I came out and wanted to win it.
“It was two legs in I needed the toilet. I just wanted to go into the break with a lead but we went in 5-5.”
Asked if the key to throwing nine-darters was to go the toilet, he added: “Yeah, if anyone wants to know!
“When the last dart went in I just thought to myself don’t do anything stupid, don’t let all your energy out so I give it a little come on. I still had five legs to win.”
Meanwhile, Humphries was hugely admirable in defeat as he paid tribute to his rival.
He said: “I was trying to stick in there and there was a big, massive breeze coming all night, it’s so hard to deal with and that’s credit to Luke, he managed it all night so well.
“When I went into the break at 5-5 I hung in there but then it restarted and he just played much better.
“He’s a fantastic player, he really is. I think me and Luke are the two greatest players in the world, it’s another great battle.
“I love playing him, I know I lose a lot but I just love playing him. We’re going to have a lot of battles in the future.
“Tonight he was much better and if you look at the season as a whole, he deserved to be the Premier League champion.”
The flashpoint of the final was described by commentator Glen Durrant as “one of the greatest moments I’ve ever witnessed at a darts match.”
And with good reason. Littler turned the screw in the 11th leg as he went 6-5 up thanks to a brilliant nine-darter, finishing with a stunning 141 checkout.
Even his opponent marvelled at what he saw, applauding Littler’s brilliance before giving the teen a hug.
There was only going to be one winner after that as Littler raced to the title with an 11-7 victory against the man who defeated him at the PDC World Darts Championship final back in January.
Littler won’t represent England at the World Cup of Darts next month, though, as he is not ranked as the top two English players on the PDC Order of Merit. It shouldn’t be long before that changes, however.