Luke Littler has been encouraged to aim high and break Phil Taylor’s records, as long as he can steer clear of two major distractions: alcohol and romantic entanglements. The young darts sensation continued his unstoppable rise on Sunday by claiming his first major ranking title with a truly remarkable performance.
Littler defeated Martin Lukeman in a resounding 16-3 victory, stringing together 15 consecutive legs to seal the win in the Grand Slam of Darts final. This triumph secured him a prize of £150,000 and marked his tenth title of the year.
Despite being in just his first 12 months on the PDC Tour, Littler has already claimed prestigious titles, including the Premier League and World Series of Darts Finals. In 2024 alone, he notched up another seven victories across the World Series, Pro Tour, and Euro Tour, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant players on the circuit.
Martin Lukeman, Littler’s opponent in the final, has high hopes for the teenager’s future and strongly believes he can surpass Taylor’s storied legacy. Speaking to *Darts Now*, Lukeman shared a humorous anecdote from before the final: “He had a Boost [snack], a fast-food meal, a curry, and then he comes out and wipes the floor with me like that.” Lukeman added with a touch of admiration, “During the break, he even treated himself to some sweets. It’s amazing to see — this kid is just phenomenal.”
On a more serious note, Lukeman highlighted Littler’s immense potential: “If he keeps his head in the right place, forget about Michael van Gerwen’s records. He will surpass Phil Taylor’s. If he avoids distractions, he’ll go down as one of the greatest. He will break all the records.”
Phil Taylor, a legendary figure in darts with 16 world titles, remains the pinnacle of achievement in the sport. However, Littler has already demonstrated he has what it takes to scale such heights: he reached the PDC World Championship final last year at just 16 years old and has already achieved two televised nine-darters — a feat Taylor accomplished 11 times over his career.
Littler’s Grand Slam triumph was preceded by another standout performance in the quarterfinals, where he dominated Jermaine Wattimena 16-2, setting a new record for the most lopsided victory at that stage of the tournament.
Matchroom Sport founder Barry Hearn expressed his excitement for Littler’s potential during an appearance on *talkSPORT Breakfast*. When asked by Jeff Stelling just how far the young prodigy can go, Hearn replied without hesitation: “He could be better than all of them — including Taylor, Eric Bristow, John Lowe, and Michael van Gerwen.” Hearn emphasized the immense pressure of competing on the grand stage, comparing it to moving from Sunday League football to performing at Wembley. “And yet, look at what he’s accomplished this year. He’s earned about £1.5 million already, and he’s only 17 years old. His throwing averages are consistently above 110. Numbers don’t lie.”
Littler’s approach to the game demonstrates a surprising level of maturity. Comparing him to past icons, Hearn pointed out that modern players face different but equally challenging demands and must maintain high standards. “Phil Taylor paved the way by working tirelessly and playing for hours every day. Now, Littler and the young stars are following in his footsteps, dedicating themselves fully, playing without fear, and focusing solely on their game.”
Following Sunday’s victory, Littler showcased his down-to-earth character. “He just wanted to go home, play Xbox, and have a kebab,” Hearn recounted with a laugh. Littler’s relatability and simplicity endear him to younger fans, making him even more appealing as a rising star.
When asked about Littler’s chances of winning the World Championship, Hearn confidently stated that he is one of the favorites, thanks to his consistency and ability to raise his game in crucial moments. Hearn also reflected on Littler’s exceptional semi-final match against Gary Anderson, where Littler clawed back from a four-leg deficit to claim victory, demonstrating incredible resilience.
Currently, the darts prodigy is ranked fifth in the provisional PDC Order of Merit and has his sights set on climbing even higher with the upcoming Players Championship Finals in Minehead. Another £120,000 is up for grabs for the winner, and Littler, seeded eighth based on his Pro Tour performances, will face former world champion Rob Cross in the opening round. Littler hopes to extend an already phenomenal season with yet another strong showing.