Luke Littler secured his first major title by winning the Premier League Darts championship.
The 17-year-old emerged victorious with an 11-7 win against Luke Humphries at the O2 Arena in London.
Dominant Performance
In a thrilling final, Littler outperformed Humphries to claim the £275,000 prize.
The match was tightly contested until Littler executed a brilliant nine-dart finish in the 11th leg, taking a 6-5 lead.
He achieved back-to-back 180s and a 141 checkout with a treble 20, treble 19, and double 12, which propelled him toward victory.
Emotional Celebration
After securing the win, Littler celebrated emotionally with his family and girlfriend, Eloise Milburn.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Littler expressed his joy and addressed his doubters, saying, “For all the doubters, you’re not doubting me any more! I’ve just picked up this.”
He was thrilled to win in front of his loved ones and highlighted his nine-dart finish, drawing a comparison to Phil Taylor, who achieved the same feat.
Road to the Final
Littler earned his spot in the final by defeating Michael Smith 10-5 earlier in the night, setting up a rematch of the World Championship final against Humphries.
Unlike their previous encounter in January, where Humphries won 7-4, this time Littler took home the trophy.
Consistent Excellence
Throughout the 16-week competition, Littler displayed exceptional form, finishing at the top of the league table with 40 points after winning four nights.
His performance secured him a place in the finals alongside Humphries, Smith, and Michael van Gerwen, three players with five world titles between them.
Littler remained unfazed by the competition, consistently demonstrating his skill and composure.
Personal and Professional Triumph
Littler’s victory was not just a professional milestone but also a personal one. He shared a heartfelt moment with Milburn, who began attending his matches at the start of the month.
Their relationship, which started on the darts circuit last year, has been a source of support for Littler throughout 2024.
Humphries’ Acknowledgement
After his defeat, Humphries spoke to Sky Sports, acknowledging Littler’s impressive performance. Despite challenging conditions, he praised Littler’s ability to adapt and excel.
Humphries expressed his admiration for Littler, stating, “I think me and Luke are the two greatest players in the world at the moment and this was another great battle.”
He looks forward to many more encounters with Littler, despite their current head-to-head record favoring Littler.
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