In the electrifying atmosphere of the Bahrain Darts Masters, a tournament that draws the world’s top tungsten talents to the Middle East for high-stakes exhibition action, veteran Welsh star Gerwyn Price delivered a stunning performance that halted the unstoppable momentum of teenage sensation Luke Littler. The quarter-final clash, held under the bright lights of the Bahrain International Circuit’s venue, saw Price, the 40-year-old former world champion known as the Iceman for his cool demeanor under pressure, dismantle the reigning PDC World Champion with a decisive 6-2 victory. This upset not only shattered Littler’s impressive 21-match winning streak but also marked the second consecutive year that Price had sent the young Englishman packing from this very event—last time in the semi-finals.
Littler, the 19-year-old prodigy from Warrington who has taken the darts world by storm, entered the tournament as the overwhelming favorite. Fresh off retaining his PDC World Championship title earlier in January, he had ascended to world number one status, clinching milestones like the Grand Slam of Darts and his first Players Championship crown along the way. His unbeaten run dated back to a last-32 exit in the Players Championship 34 on October 30 of the previous year, a period during which he seemed invincible on the oche. In Bahrain, Littler had already showcased his flair in the opening round, outclassing 71-year-old darts legend Paul Lim with a display that included both players reeling in spectacular 170 checkouts—the coveted “big fish” finish that had the crowd roaring in delight.
But against Price, the script flipped dramatically. The match began with Littler striking first, nailing double 10 to claim the opening leg and hinting at another dominant outing. However, Price, drawing on his experience as the 2021 world champion and his current world ranking of 12, quickly turned the tide. He rattled off five consecutive legs, showcasing pinpoint accuracy and strategic breaks that left Littler scrambling. A pivotal moment came in the fifth leg when Price broke Littler for the second time, capping it with a bullseye finish to surge to a commanding 4-1 lead. The Welshman’s average hovered at an impressive 97.43, outpacing Littler’s 94.04, as missed darts at crucial doubles plagued the teenager.
Sensing the pressure, Littler made a mid-match adjustment, swapping his prototype Target Darts for his trusted old set while trailing 3-1. The switch sparked a brief resurgence, allowing him to pull one leg back with another double 10 to make it 5-2. Yet, Price remained unflappable, nearly sealing the deal in the eighth leg with a daring 100-plus checkout attempt that grazed the wire on double 20 before he calmly finished on double 10. The victory propelled Price into the semi-finals, where he would face Michael van Gerwen, but it also ended Littler’s dream of adding another title to his burgeoning trophy cabinet.
Post-match, Price couldn’t resist adding a layer of playful rivalry to the drama. Taking to Instagram, he shared a tongue-in-cheek message that had fans buzzing: “Gutted to lose there. Didn’t feel good all night, gonna stop and watch the Luke-Luke final though.” The quip cleverly poked fun at the anticipated showdown between Littler and world number two Luke Humphries—both sharing the first name Luke—in what many had predicted would be an all-Luke final. Price quickly followed up to diffuse any tension, adding, “Don’t bite. I’m joking it’s called banter.” His words captured the lighthearted yet competitive spirit of the sport, especially poignant since Humphries himself crashed out in the quarter-finals, falling 6-3 to Nathan Aspinall.
The tournament unfolded with more surprises beyond the Littler-Price showdown. In other quarter-final action, Michael van Gerwen edged out defending champion Stephen Bunting 6-4, while young Dutch talent Gian van Veen dominated Danny Noppert 6-1. The semi-finals saw van Gerwen dismantle Price 7-2, showcasing his nine-dart prowess and tactical edge, and van Veen overcoming Aspinall 7-4. The all-Dutch final was a thriller, with van Gerwen, the three-time world champion, battling back to defeat his compatriot 8-6 and claim the Bahrain Masters crown—his first World Series title in over a year.
This event highlighted the unpredictable nature of darts, where experience can trump youthful exuberance. For Littler, the loss serves as a rare setback in an otherwise meteoric career, reminding fans that even the best can falter. Price, meanwhile, proved he’s still a force to be reckoned with, blending skill with a dash of humor that keeps the sport entertaining. As the PDC World Series moves forward, eyes will be on whether Littler bounces back with vengeance or if veterans like Price continue to challenge the new guard in this ever-evolving game of precision and nerves.
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