At just 18, Luke Littler, the darts sensation known as “The Nuke,” has redefined what’s possible on the oche with a jaw-dropping 115.02 average in the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters final, securing an 8-4 victory over world No. 1 Luke Humphries. This performance, described as “mesmerising” by commentators, not only clinched his second consecutive World Series title but also etched his name into darts history as one of the all-time great displays. Humphries, gracious in defeat, admitted, “I played pretty well today, but when you run into a 115 average, there’s not much you can do.” His candid reflection, “I felt powerless,” captures the sheer dominance of Littler’s performance, which has sparked debates about where it ranks among the sport’s finest moments.
Littler’s 115.02 average, the highest ever in a World Series final, came in front of a record-breaking crowd at Auckland’s Spark Arena, where the atmosphere rivaled a Premier League night. “It felt very much the same as last week,” Littler said, referencing his Australian Darts Masters win just seven days earlier. “I had a shaky start in my opening game, but once you come into Finals Night you know you have to switch it on, and that’s what I did again tonight.” His confidence soared after a practice nine-darter during a break in the final, a moment that fueled his belief in his invincibility. “That’s when I felt like no one could beat me,” he revealed, noting how he rattled off four or five 140s in the final legs, punishing Humphries with seven 180s and a 50% doubles hit rate.
This performance places Littler in elite company, though it falls short of the all-time televised record set by Michael van Gerwen, who averaged 123.40 in a 2016 Premier League match against Michael Smith. That 7-1 rout in Aberdeen remains the benchmark, with Van Gerwen’s darts described as “placing the dart in the board” rather than throwing it. Other historic averages include Phil Taylor’s 118.66 in the 2009 European Championship against Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson’s 117.29 in the 2011 Premier League. Littler’s 115.02, while not surpassing these, is remarkable for its context—a high-stakes final against the world No. 1—and his age. At 18, he’s outpacing the early careers of Taylor and Van Gerwen, who were 22 and 24, respectively, when they claimed their first world titles.
Littler’s path to the Auckland final showcased his relentless form. He dispatched Mike De Decker 6-2 in the quarter-finals, marking his sixth straight win over the Belgian, and then demolished Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the semi-finals with a near-109 average. “I was really good tonight and he [Humphries] couldn’t do much,” Littler said, acknowledging his 13-match winning streak across all competitions. His precision, particularly on double 10, and his use of 40mm points for tighter grouping, have become hallmarks of his game. “It’s just a case of you know where the treble 20 is, you know where the cover shots are,” he explained, describing a rhythm that felt “unbeatable.”
The darts world is no stranger to prodigious talents, but Littler’s rise is unprecedented. Since his 2024 PDC World Championship final run at 16, he’s amassed 16 PDC titles, including the 2025 World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay, making him the youngest world champion at 17 years, 11 months. His Auckland performance, projected onto the city’s Sky Tower, underscores his marketability and the “Littlermania” phenomenon driving darts’ global surge. Fans on social media marveled at his averages—95.60 in the first round, 100.03 in the quarter-finals, 108.81 in the semi-finals, and 115.02 in the final—with one user joking, “Makes me sick how good he is.”
Humphries, averaging 102 in the final, fought valiantly, having earlier defeated Damon Heta 6-2 and Chris Dobey 7-4. “When Luke’s on it, he’s untouchable,” he said, praising his rival’s ability to elevate their rivalry. Their head-to-head now tilts in Littler’s favor, 8-7, a testament to his growing dominance. Looking ahead, Littler eyes the Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp to extend his streak to four titles. “I just want to win everything that comes my way,” he declared, his ambition clear as he chases Humphries’ No. 1 ranking. With his image lighting up Auckland and his darts lighting up scoreboards, Littler’s 115.02 average is not just a number—it’s a statement of a generational talent rewriting the sport’s record books.
Leave a Reply