In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, teenage darts sensation Luke Littler narrowly escaped an upset at the 2025 Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong, securing his place in the quarter-finals with a heart-pounding 6-5 victory over New Zealand’s Haupai Puha. The match, which unfolded on Friday, August 8, at the WIN Entertainment Centre, showcased Littler’s ability to thrive under pressure as he continues his quest for a third career World Series of Darts event title. The 17-year-old reigning PDC World Champion, fresh off his World Matchplay triumph in July, demonstrated why he’s a force to be reckoned with, even when pushed to the brink.
Littler entered the tournament as one of the favorites, riding a wave of confidence after a stellar year that included victories at the 2025 World Championship, the 2024 Premier League, and the World Matchplay. Having reached the final of the Australian Darts Masters the previous year—where he suffered an 8-1 defeat to Gerwyn Price—Littler was determined to go one better this time. “I’ve been here a few days now, so I’ve settled in, but once Friday night comes, we’re in the venue and the crowd are pumping, it will definitely get me up for it,” Littler said ahead of the tournament. His enthusiasm was palpable, and he added, “Once you are runner-up, you want to come back the next year and win it. It’s a long time, but now we are here, and coming off the back of the Matchplay win, I am feeling very confident and up for the task.”
The round of 16 clash against Puha, New Zealand’s top player, was anything but straightforward. The match was a rollercoaster, with both players trading high-scoring legs and clutch checkouts. Littler posted an average of 91.80, slightly edging out Puha’s 88.29, and unleashed three 180s to Puha’s two. However, Puha’s precision on the doubles, boasting a 55.56% checkout rate compared to Littler’s 31.58%, kept the pressure on. The defining moment came when Littler produced a stunning 119 checkout to seize control in the latter stages, a finish that left the Wollongong crowd roaring. “That has to hurt!” one observer noted, as Littler’s clinical precision shifted the momentum. The match went to a last-leg decider, where Littler held his nerve to clinch the victory, advancing to face the winner of Damon Heta and James Bailey in the quarter-finals.
The Australian Darts Masters, the sixth event in the 2025 World Series of Darts, features a star-studded field of 16 players, including eight PDC stars and eight Oceanic representatives. The tournament, held on August 8-9, offers a total prize pool of £100,000, with £30,000 for the winner, £16,000 for the runner-up, and £10,000 for semi-finalists. Littler’s path to the title won’t be easy, with formidable opponents like world number one Luke Humphries, who faces Jonny Tata, and defending champion Gerwyn Price, pitted against Joe Comito, also in action. Emerging talents like Josh Rock, making his World Series debut against Simon Whitlock, add further intrigue to the competition.
Littler’s journey in darts has been nothing short of meteoric. At just 17, he’s already the youngest PDC World Champion, having defeated Michael van Gerwen in January 2025, and holds a career-high world ranking of second behind Humphries. His scoring power, particularly his knack for maximum 180s and proficiency on double 10, has earned him global acclaim and sparked “Littlermania” across the UK. Despite his youth, Littler’s composure in high-stakes moments, as evidenced by his clutch performance against Puha, underscores his potential to dominate the sport for years to come.
As the Australian Darts Masters progresses, all eyes will be on Littler to see if he can capitalize on his early scare and claim the title. With the electric atmosphere in Wollongong and a raucous crowd behind him, Littler’s confidence and flair make him a formidable contender. Whether he can overcome the likes of Price, Humphries, or dark horses like Rock remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Luke Littler’s star continues to shine brightly on the global darts stage.
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