Seventeen-year-old Luke Littler continued his astonishing debut year on the professional darts circuit with a commanding performance to win the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton. Littler, one of the sport’s rising stars, overwhelmed qualifier Martin Lukeman in a 16-3 final victory, leaving no doubt about his prodigious talent and solidifying his place among darts’ elite.
The match did not begin in Littler’s favor, as Lukeman capitalized on an early break of throw to take a 2-0 lead. For a brief moment, it seemed the veteran might make the young contender work hard for his first major title. But Littler quickly changed the script in spectacular fashion, reeling off 15 consecutive legs to seize control of the contest. It was a breathtaking run of form that left Lukeman, ranked world No. 45 and a qualifier who had battled through four matches just to earn a place in the main draw, struggling to keep pace. The crowd, sensing the enormity of Littler’s achievement, erupted with cheers and chants.
Lukeman managed to break Littler’s momentum briefly, taking one leg amid the onslaught and celebrating with fervor as the fans roared in appreciation of his resilience. For Lukeman, the Grand Slam represented a career milestone as the first qualifier to reach the final in the tournament’s history. Despite the scoreline, his journey was celebrated, but Littler remained the story of the day.
The teenager sealed his victory with a break of throw in the 19th leg, raising the Eric Bristow trophy high in front of an enthusiastic Wolverhampton crowd. As he did so, they serenaded him with chants of “walking in a Littler wonderland,” a playful homage to his remarkable rise. The young star even shared a light-hearted moment when their cheers turned to good-natured boos after he threw a 140 instead of a 180, reflecting both his talent and his growing rapport with fans.
The triumph at the Grand Slam of Darts catapulted Littler to fifth in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Order of Merit, a meteoric rise from his previous ranking of 164 just a year earlier. With the victory, Littler pocketed £150,000, adding to his season’s earnings and bringing his total prize money on the Order of Merit to £558,500, accrued over a two-year span. While Littler has already collected substantial winnings from the Premier League of Darts and World Series finals, those invitational events do not contribute to his ranking.
“It’s an incredible feeling to win,” Littler told Sky Sports in a post-match interview. “I’ve been playing well all week. It’s been a long journey, but the hard work has paid off. This is one of the titles I’ve always wanted to win. My record in majors hasn’t been the best, so I’m thrilled to go all the way this time. This proves I belong at the top.”
Littler’s performance was nothing short of historic. He became only the third player in Grand Slam history to average over 100 in every match, a distinction previously achieved by legends Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. In the final, Littler finished with a remarkable average of 107.08, the third-highest ever recorded in a Grand Slam final. His precision was on full display with 12 180s and another 15 scores of 140, showcasing his ability to dominate both scoring and finishing phases.
For Lukeman, who entered the tournament as a 150-1 long shot, the final was a significant achievement despite the lopsided result. “Luke is just different gravy. He’s brilliant, isn’t he?” Lukeman remarked with admiration. “He’s doing amazing things for the PDC and the sport overall, bringing in new fans and sponsors. It’s great for darts.”
The path to the trophy was not without challenges for Littler. He faced stiff competition in earlier rounds, including a dramatic second-round comeback against World Grand Prix winner Mike de Decker, in which he trailed 8-4 before rallying. His semi-final clash against Scotland’s Gary Anderson was even more intense. Down 11-7 and later 15-14, Littler displayed nerves of steel, breaking Anderson’s throw to level the match and then holding his own to secure victory and a spot in the final.
Littler’s success is part of a breakout year in which he has won 10 titles, cementing his status as a dominant force in the sport. As he prepares for the upcoming Players Championships final and the World Championships in December, Littler has become the bookmakers’ favorite, a testament to his rapid rise and unparalleled skill.
Reflecting on his journey, Littler took a deep breath before lifting the trophy, savoring the moment and acknowledging his family and fans with a wide smile. His victory at the Grand Slam, alongside his numerous accolades in 2024, suggests that the young star’s journey is only just beginning. As darts’ newest sensation, Littler is poised to shape the future of the sport, following in the footsteps of past champions while creating a legacy uniquely his own.