Luke Littler became the youngest player ever to hit a nine-darter on television at the Bahrain Masters then said: “It’s just good to get one on TV!” The 16-year-old, who turns 17 this Sunday, threw nine perfect darts in the very first leg of his quarter-final against Nathan Aspinall and was as humble as ever in his post-match interview.
World Championship finalist Littler charged through to the semis in Bahrain with a 6-3 win over Aspinall which included checkouts of 141 and 116. And his nine-darter – 180, 180, T20, T19, D12 – was just the second ever produced in the World Series of Darts after Phil Taylor.
The Power managed the feat at the Sydney Masters in 2015. And Warrington sensation Littler now has his sights on more, having already hit one before at the age of 14 in the JDC MVG Masters.
But speaking to ITV Sport post-match, Littler stayed grounded. The Nuke said: “After I hit it, Nath went: ‘It’s only a hold of throw.’ I know myself! I’m just glad to win. I played really well there.
“It’s just good to get one on TV. First one of the year goes to me!” Told that he joins Taylor as one of only two players to manage a nine-darter in the World Series, the teen added: “I hope the list continues and I hit a few more.
“I take it game by game. If I do win, I win. If I lose my next game, it is what it is. I don’t think about losing, I just think about winning.”
Littler beat Man Lok Leung 6-3 in his first match since the World Championship final on Thursday, coming from 2-0 down to win. And he averaged 104.50 in his defeat of Aspinall, as well as six 180s.
The youngster then faced former world champion Gerwyn Price in his semi-final, and comfortably defeated the Welshman 7-3 including a glorious checkout of 170. He will face either Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith in tonight’s final for a £20,000 prize in Bahrain.
Before the tournament, Littler said he hadn’t even thrown a dart in practice for two weeks. The world No. 31, reflecting on his wild run to the final at Alexandra Palace, revealed: “It’s been crazy. The World Championships changed my life, my family’s life, my social media platforms, it’s all gone crazy.
“We went away to Wales last week, the family and me, for some downtime, to chill out. I’ve not thrown a dart since the World Championship final, so whatever happens in Bahrain happens.”
Littler has already won £200,000 in prize money this season. After the Bahrain Masters, he will play in the Dutch Masters on January 26-27 at Maaspoort Den Bosch. The Darts Premier League then begins in Cardiff next Thursday (February 1).
