Luke Littler has dismissed the idea that he can go on and break Phil Taylor’s record and become a better player than ‘The Power’. Taylor, who is set to retire at the end of this season’s World Seniors Championship, won the World Darts Championship 16 times and dominated the sport for two decades.
Littler has been tipped to better Taylor’s achievements in darts after reaching the Alexandra Palace final on his debut as a 16-year-old, 13 years younger than Taylor’s first victory when he shocked the sporting world as an unemployed engineer.
With time on his side and as one of the best prospects darts has seen since Michael van Gerwen, Littler earned his tour card and has been competing in the Premier League among the sport’s elite. But he still cannot see himself catching Taylor’s 16 titles.
He told PA: “I don’t think anyone’s beating that record! It’s just crazy, crazy to think of me being bigger than Phil. I’ve said to many people I’ve not really set any goals. I just get on with it. I just have to throw my darts and see where they go. I’m still gobsmacked that I’m here, getting all these opportunities. I’m just taking it in my stride as I do.”
His comments came off the back of a defeat by Jitse Van der Wal on Wednesday in an International Darts Open qualifier. He lost 6-3 to the world No. 120 after crashing out of Players Championship 4 to James Wade the previous day in the opening round.
But Littler has more than taken his chance since stunning Ally Pally. Ahead of the Premier League’s fourth night in Edinburgh, the teenager sits third in the table behind Van Gerwen and Michael Smith, winners of the first three events. And he continues to defy expectations and perform when the pressure is on.
“I just love playing in front of a crowd,” Littler explained. “I enjoy trying my best to put on a performance and I know I can play against the best. I’ve broken into the top 32, so hopefully I’m here for many years to come.”
His rise to fame has encouraged many fans to get involved with darts as the sport’s popularity booms thanks to Littler, who admitted that he was proud to be a role model for aspiring players.
“It’s just been crazy how many people have got into darts,” he continued. “And how many people have been in my local shop in St Helens. There’s been queues outside. I’m just glad to be a part of it all. Hopefully it gets more people involved.”
