Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation nicknamed “The Nuke,” has once again set the darts world alight, clinching the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters title in Auckland with a jaw-dropping 115.02 average—the highest ever recorded in a World Series final. His commanding 8-4 victory over world number one Luke Humphries not only secured his second consecutive World Series title but also added a hefty £30,000 to his burgeoning prize money tally, pushing his career earnings to approximately £2.2 million. With his girlfriend Faith Millar cheering from the stands at the Spark Arena, Littler’s latest triumph underscores his relentless ascent, leaving rivals and fans alike marveling at his untouchable form.
Littler’s path to the Auckland crown was a thrilling journey of grit and brilliance. On Friday, he faced a tough opening match against New Zealand’s Mark Cleaver, a 57-year-old local hero who pegged him back to 4-4 before Littler sealed a 6-4 win. “It wasn’t easy up there. Mark’s not the quickest player, so I just tried to get into some sort of rhythm,” he said, reflecting on the challenge. By Saturday’s finals night, Littler was in scintillating form, dispatching Mike De Decker 6-2 in the quarter-finals and Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the semi-finals, dropping just four legs combined. His highlight was a pair of 170 checkouts, showcasing the heavy scoring that has become his hallmark. In the final, Littler surged to a 3-0 lead with a 13-darter and, despite Humphries narrowing the gap to 3-2, regained control with a near-nine-dart finish. “That’s when I felt like no one could beat me,” he declared, recalling the moment his seven perfect darts ignited a surge of confidence, leading to a 14-dart break to seal the £30,000 prize.[](https://www.gbnews.com/sport/darts/luke-littler-adds-more-prize-money-to-growing-collection-with-new-zealand-darts-triumph-over-rival)
Humphries, the defending champion, fought valiantly, averaging 102.31 with seven 180s, but admitted, “I played pretty well today, but when you run into a 115 average, there’s not much you can do. When Luke’s on it, he’s untouchable.” His £16,000 runner-up prize was a consolation for a strong run that included a 6-3 win over Haupai Puha and a 6-2 quarter-final victory over Damon Heta. The New Zealand Darts Masters, with a total prize fund of £100,000, saw quarter-finalists like De Decker and Price earn £6,000 each, while first-round losers, including Cleaver, pocketed £1,750. These earnings, while significant, do not count toward the PDC Order of Merit but contribute to World Series rankings, where Littler’s 12 points for the win bolster his chances for the Amsterdam Finals in September.[](https://dartsnews.com/pdc/littler-humphries-price-headline-fight-for-ps100000-in-prize-money-at-new-zealand-darts-masters-2025)[](https://www.gbnews.com/sport/darts/luke-littler-adds-more-prize-money-to-growing-collection-with-new-zealand-darts-triumph-over-rival)
Littler’s Auckland triumph follows his Australian Darts Masters win the previous week, where he also claimed £30,000 after defeating De Decker 8-4. “It feels very much the same as last week,” Littler said, comparing the electric atmosphere to a Premier League night. His recent successes add to a remarkable 2025, which includes the World Championship, UK Open, and World Matchplay titles, making him the youngest player to complete the PDC Triple Crown. His Blackpool victory in July, where he averaged 107.24 against James Wade, netted him £200,000, while his World Championship win over Michael van Gerwen, featuring a record-breaking 140.91 set average, added £500,000 to his coffers. With five World Series titles, including Bahrain and Poland in 2024, Littler’s prize money haul dwarfs that of third-ranked Michael van Gerwen, who sits at under £750,000.[](https://www.gbnews.com/sport/darts/luke-littler-adds-more-prize-money-to-growing-collection-with-new-zealand-darts-triumph-over-rival)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_Littler)
Off the oche, Littler’s personal life has drawn attention, with Faith Millar, his 19-year-old girlfriend from Wigan, proving a steadfast supporter. Despite online trolling, Littler remains unfazed, saying, “I just said, ‘They’re jealous. They wanna ruin us.’” Faith’s presence in Auckland and Australia has coincided with his flawless performances, earning her the affectionate moniker of his good luck charm. As Littler eyes the World Series Finals, where he’s the defending champion after an 11-4 rout of Michael Smith in 2024, his focus is clear: “I’m playing very well at the moment, I’m enjoying my darts.” With a fourth televised nine-darter and a game that blends raw power with pinpoint precision, Littler is not just collecting cheques—he’s rewriting darts history.
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