Luke Littler retains World Matchplay title with record-breaking performance
Luke Littler demolished Gerwyn Price 18-9 in Blackpool on Sunday to retain his World Matchplay crown, shattering records along the way, reports BritPanorama.
The 19-year-old world No 1 posted a remarkable tournament average of 111.04, surpassing a benchmark held by Phil Taylor for 16 years. He also recorded 66 maximum 180s during the competition, setting another new record.
Following his momentous victory, Littler expressed his intentions for his winnings, stating, “I’m looking at a new car, don’t know what to get yet. I need some more brake horsepower, 170 is not enough!” His triumph enabled him to become the first player to exceed £3 million in PDC prize money, earning £225,000 for Sunday’s win alone.
Littler’s success was marked by a significant warning to his rivals: “I can still get better. I can get a lot better,” he asserted, underlining his focus on continued improvement. The teenager revealed he had averaged as high as 120 during certain matches. “Through the matches I was up to 120 average at one point. I didn’t maintain it, but maybe in a few years’ time I will and finish a match averaging 120,” he said.
Despite not breaking the all-time highest televised average of 123.40 set by Michael van Gerwen, Littler remains keenly focused on that milestone. “I remember sitting there watching it. The way he did it was just incredible,” he reflected. Although he intended to break the match average record as well, he noted, “I’ll have to settle for the tournament average and the 180s record for now,” prioritising his trophy retention above all else.
With his latest victory, Littler pushed past the £3 million mark on the PDC Order of Merit, placing him £2 million ahead of world No 2 Luke Humphries. His success is complemented by a reported overall net worth between £5 million and £6.5 million, bolstered by endorsement deals with brands like BoohooMAN, Xbox, and KP Nuts. His extensive deal with Target Darts is estimated at £20 million over ten years, marking a significant milestone in the sport.
Littler is on track to achieve an unthinkable clean sweep of all televised titles this season, having already secured the World Championship, Masters, UK Open, Premier League, and World Cup. He believes he is operating at a level comparable to the sport’s greats, such as Taylor and Van Gerwen. “I’m a lot younger and the performances I’m putting in at this age are very good,” he stated, showcasing his confidence and ambition as he looks ahead to future competitions.
As he approaches his third year in professional darts, Littler has already claimed fourteen televised major titles, reflecting a formidable career trajectory. His ambitions remain high: “The main goal was to win every major at least once. I don’t know how many years I’ve got left in me,” he concluded.
In the world of darts, Littler’s achievements are a reminder of the refreshing eagerness of youth intersecting with elite performance — a potent combination that might just redefine the sport’s landscape. Only time will tell how far this young talent can go.
