Luke Littler continues to dominate the world of darts, proving that his meteoric rise is no fluke. The 17-year-old sensation has been scooping up titles at an astonishing rate, sending a clear message to PDC rivals like Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries that he is here to stay. After securing yet another tournament victory, Littler summed up his confidence in five simple words: “It’s just what I do.”
His latest triumph marked his ninth Pro Tour title of the year, an achievement that places him in an elite group of darting greats. Littler’s rise to prominence began with his incredible performance at last year’s World Championship, where he finished as runner-up at just 16 years old. That performance earned him a hefty £200,000, but more importantly, it cemented his status as one of the sport’s most exciting new stars.
Now, Littler is no longer just a promising youngster—he is a genuine contender for every event he enters. If he secures just one more title this year, he will join the ranks of legends such as Phil Taylor, Peter Wright, and van Gerwen as players who have won ten tournaments in a single season. Given his current form, it seems inevitable that he will achieve that milestone sooner rather than later.
One of the key factors behind Littler’s success is his ability to adapt his game to different situations. Unlike many players who stick rigidly to a set technique, Littler is comfortable making adjustments depending on whether he is playing in a floor tournament or on a big stage.
“I do change my throw when I’m on the floor,” Littler told the PDC. “The floor is totally different from the stage, and I’ll just find something comfortable, not change it completely.”
When asked by commentator Dan Dawson about the specifics of these adjustments, Littler explained: “Usually, when I bring up the dart, I flick the flight, or it’s just one coming over from the top and downwards. It’s just how I feel on the floor.”
His adaptability has made him a nightmare for his opponents. Luke Humphries, currently the PDC world number one, has been one of Littler’s main rivals, but the young star has often had the upper hand in their matchups. Although Humphries boasts major titles such as the World Championship, the World Matchplay, and the World Cup, Littler has been able to consistently beat him in head-to-head encounters, including a dominant 6-2 victory in Wigan.
Humphries is not the only big name struggling to keep up. Michael van Gerwen, one of the most successful players of the modern era, has also been feeling the pressure. While MVG managed to knock Littler out of the World Matchplay last July, he was completely outclassed in their recent meeting at the World Series Finals in Amsterdam. Littler stormed to an 11-4 victory in the semi-final, posting a stunning average of 107 compared to van Gerwen’s 99.
Even world number two Michael Smith, another established star of the sport, has found himself unable to match Littler’s relentless consistency. Smith was Littler’s final opponent at the World Series Finals, but he suffered the same fate as van Gerwen, losing 11-4. It was Littler’s fourth consecutive victory over Smith, underlining his dominance over yet another top-ranked player.
Despite his young age, Littler has already shown remarkable composure and maturity. Unlike many athletes who might let early success go to their heads, he remains grounded and focused on improving his game. His pragmatic approach to his finances is also notable—despite earning significant prize money, he has resisted the temptation to splurge on extravagant purchases.
When asked about his biggest luxury purchase since breaking onto the scene, Littler laughed and revealed: “I bought myself a nice bag.”
Instead of indulging in lavish spending, Littler prefers to invest in his passion for gaming, particularly EA FC’s Ultimate Team mode. A devoted Manchester United fan, he has spent some of his prize money building his dream squad in the game.
“My ultimate team? That’s what I spend my money on. Petr Cech, he’s good,” he told The Times. “This’ll go down well, then: [Vincent] Kompany and [Virgil] van Dijk at the back. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] at right-back. [Gianfranco] Zola, Thierry Henry, [Harry] Kane, [Michael] Essien. You’ve got to spend money to get that team. That’s what I’ve always done. When I win money, I just treat myself, buy some packs, get some good players.”
While Littler’s spending habits may be modest, his ambitions on the dartboard are anything but. He is already being tipped as a future world champion, and if he maintains his current trajectory, he could dominate the sport for years to come. With his combination of natural talent, adaptability, and unwavering confidence, it is hard to see anyone stopping him in the near future.
As he continues to collect titles at an unprecedented rate, his rivals will have to step up their game to keep up. But as Littler himself put it: “It’s just what I do.”
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