Luke Littler, at 19 years old, emerged victorious in the World Masters, earning praise from Luke Humphries as “the greatest darts player who has ever lived.” Littler defeated Humphries 6-5 in an intense match in Milton Keynes, showcasing exceptional skill and adding another significant title to his record.
With a remarkable 104.72 average and 13 maximums, Littler secured his 11th major PDC title and a £100,000 prize. He dominated Josh Rock in the quarter-finals and narrowly triumphed over Gerwyn Price 5-4 in the semi-final before advancing to the final showdown.
Already considered the joint third most successful player in the history of darts, alongside James Wade, Littler trails only Michael van Gerwen (48 titles) and Phil Taylor (79 titles) in terms of championship victories.
His quest for the European Championship title remains to complete his collection of PDC ranked titles, as Humphries acknowledged Littler’s prowess by awarding him a major title.
Despite Humphries outperforming Littler with a 105.51 average and leading 5-4, Littler rallied in the final two sets to secure victory. Reflecting on his performance, Littler expressed determination and resilience, emphasizing the challenges faced and the ultimate triumph achieved.
The intense final saw Price narrowly missing a match dart, allowing Littler to elevate his game with impressive finishes, including a 153 checkout and two 121 finishes, thrilling the audience at Arena MK.
While Humphries expressed disappointment at not clinching the title, he acknowledged the positives from the tournament, highlighting the strength of his game and the overall experience gained.
Littler and Humphries currently dominate the darts scene, with Littler holding an advantage after securing TV final victories over Humphries in previous seasons.