In numbers: the incredible statistics of Luke Littler

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Although a few major tournaments remain in the 2024 PDC season, 17-year-old Luke Littler has already taken the darts world by storm with a debut year that many veteran players could only dream of. The English prodigy made his mark early, especially in the Czech Darts Open, where he set an astonishing new record. Littler achieved a tournament average of 110.89 over 36 legs in the semifinals, surpassing the previous record of 107.58 set by darts legend Michael van Gerwen six years prior. His extraordinary performance against top players like Nathan Aspinall, van Gerwen himself, and Damon Heta overshadowed even the eventual tournament victory by Luke Humphries, proving that the young star is a force to be reckoned with.

This breakthrough year, filled with jaw-dropping performances and unmatched consistency, has positioned Littler as one of the most exciting new players on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit. Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke,” has managed to not only beat seasoned champions but has set a historic precedent in his debut season, sparking excitement and hope for the next generation of darts players.

One of Littler’s standout achievements is his remarkable win-loss ratio against seven different PDC world champions, including some of the sport’s most established names. Out of his 59 professional matches, Littler has secured 37 wins, demonstrating impressive consistency and adaptability against top-tier talent. What makes his journey even more remarkable is his dominance against seasoned champions in leg count; he has not lost more legs than he has won against any of the seven champions he’s faced. Only three players on the Pro Tour hold a positive win-loss record against him, and each of these players—Robert Grundy, Jitse van der Wal, and Callan Rydz—have faced him just once. Littler’s record speaks not only to his skill but also to his potential to become a dominant force on the PDC Tour for years to come.

His rivalry with reigning world champion and world number one has been particularly captivating. Since their first match in early January at Alexandra Palace, Littler has faced off against the top-ranked player eight times, securing an impressive number of victories against the current champion. For fans, these high-stakes matchups have solidified Littler’s reputation as a true competitor capable of challenging the sport’s best. This budding rivalry has already generated a series of thrilling encounters, and with Littler’s consistently high averages, he is proving to be an opponent who is not easily intimidated by ranking or reputation.

One of the most-talked-about matchups in 2024 has been the frequent battles between Littler and Luke Humphries, affectionately dubbed the “Luke vs. Luke” rivalry. So far, the two have exchanged 181 legs over multiple encounters, making their head-to-head the most contested matchup in the PDC this year. Given that neither player has reached the age of 20, their rivalry has the potential to become a defining duel in professional darts over the coming decade. Littler’s mastery of high-scoring and consistent performances shines in these games, often putting him on par with or even surpassing Humphries. Out of Littler’s ten highest averages in 2024, three came in matches against Michael van Gerwen, underscoring his competitive edge against seasoned professionals.

In his most recent encounter with van Gerwen in the Czech Republic, Littler outperformed even the Dutchman’s “A-game” performance, prevailing in a 6-1 victory that stunned fans and players alike. Van Gerwen brought one of his strongest performances of the season, averaging 112 and 111 in their earlier matchups and 99 in their latest, yet Littler seemed undeterred. The teen outscored the Dutch legend across 23-7 in leg scores, highlighting his ability to rise to the challenge against even the most intimidating opponents. For years, van Gerwen’s overwhelming “A-game” set him apart in the world of darts, but in Littler, fans and analysts see a potential successor who might surpass him.

Among Littler’s high-stakes matches this year, his games against Australia’s Damon Heta have been particularly thrilling. Many fans consider their quarterfinal match at this year’s UK Open one of the best of the season, where Heta defeated Littler in a thrilling match that saw the Australian achieve the highest average of his career in a televised ranking event. Heta took five legs in a row, establishing a commanding lead, but Littler did not let the loss go unanswered. Since then, Littler has faced Heta four more times and has emerged victorious in all encounters. In one of these matches, Littler scored eight maximums and posted his highest ProTour average to date. Across their five matchups, Littler has maintained an average of 105, the highest recorded average of any player in any head-to-head encounter within the PDC this year.

As his 18th birthday approaches, Littler stands at the forefront of darts’ new generation. His performances have reinvigorated fans and brought excitement to the sport, with many seeing him as the next potential superstar of the PDC. With his remarkable composure, sharp focus, and unmatched power, he has made his mark early in his career, proving that he’s not just a flash in the pan but a long-term contender for major titles. As he enters the remaining tournaments of 2024 and looks ahead to the coming year, darts enthusiasts and analysts alike are eager to see what new heights Luke Littler will reach.

If this season is any indication, the PDC Tour is witnessing the emergence of a young player with the potential to rewrite records and set new standards for excellence in professional darts.

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