Luke Littler triumphs at Saudi Arabia Darts Masters
Luke Littler secured victory at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, defeating Michael van Gerwen in the final to pocket the £30,000 top prize, before later saying he was ‘gutted’, reports BritPanorama.
The triumph marks the Warrington teenager’s first tournament success since claiming the World Championship title earlier this month. Despite the win, Littler expressed dissatisfaction with how the tournament unfolded, revealing that he missed the opportunity to score a nine-darter.
Van Gerwen fell behind early in the final, trailing 4-0, a deficit he struggled to overcome against the in-form Littler. The Dutchman posted an average of 101.79 during the match but managed only two maximum 180s compared to Littler’s six. Van Gerwen acknowledged his opponent’s dominance throughout the competition.
Littler’s disappointment was compounded by the absence of a nine-darter throughout the event. Saudi organisers had introduced a bonus structure offering £75,000 to any player achieving the perfect leg, plus an additional £75,000 for a tenth dart bullseye. “Obviously it’s on everyone’s minds,” Littler said, reflecting on the pressure of the prize money during matches.
In light of the unclaimed bonus, players left a potential £150,000 on the table during the Saudi competition. Littler revealed plans to celebrate his 19th birthday with a short break in Dubai alongside his family and girlfriend Faith Millar before returning to competitive play.
Van Gerwen, while acknowledging the frustration of being down early in the game, praised Littler’s performance. “Fair play to him. He had a fantastic tournament. Sometimes you have to take it on the chin and move on,” he remarked.
Littler’s victory not only highlights his rising prominence within the sport but also serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of professional darts. As he takes a moment to digest this significant win, fans will be keen to see how he builds on this momentum in future tournaments.
