In a dazzling display of precision and poise, 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler cemented his status as the sport’s brightest star by clinching the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters title in Auckland. The teenage prodigy, fresh off his triumph at the Australian Darts Masters, delivered a breathtaking performance, averaging an unprecedented 115.02 to defeat world number one Luke Humphries 8-4 in the final at Spark Arena. This victory, marking Littler’s fifth World Series title and second consecutive crown Down Under, underscored his growing dominance and set the stage for an electrifying showdown at the World Series finals in Amsterdam from September 12-14.
Littler’s journey through the tournament was a rollercoaster of resilience and brilliance. On the opening day, he faced a stern test against New Zealand’s Mark Cleaver, scraping through with a 6-4 win despite an uncharacteristically subdued performance, averaging 95.60 and failing to hit a single 180. “It wasn’t easy up there. Mark’s not the quickest player, so I just tried to get into some sort of rhythm,” Littler admitted, reflecting on the challenge of adapting to Cleaver’s pace. However, Finals Night saw “The Nuke” ignite, as he unleashed his full arsenal. In the quarter-finals, he dispatched Mike De Decker 6-2, landing a stunning 170 checkout that he celebrated with his trademark “reeling in” gesture. The semi-finals brought a commanding 7-2 rout of Gerwyn Price, where Littler averaged 108.8, hit five 180s, and sealed a 140 checkout. “I felt unbeatable up there,” he said, crediting the raucous Auckland crowd for creating a Premier League-like atmosphere.
The final against Humphries was a showcase of Littler’s unrelenting form. Racing to a 3-0 lead with pinpoint accuracy, he faced a brief fightback from Humphries, who clawed back to 3-2 with 13 and 11-dart legs. But Littler’s response was ruthless, rattling off three consecutive legs to lead 6-3 before sealing the match with back-to-back 11-darters. His seven 180s in the final and a record-breaking World Series average left Humphries with little chance. “It couldn’t have gone any better—the scoring, the doubles, and then in the final, I just felt untouchable,” Littler declared, though he admitted frustration at a missed 141 checkout that could have made the scoreline even more lopsided. “I was disappointed going in 4-2 because it could have been 5-1 or 6-0,” he added.
Humphries, the defending champion, was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Littler’s brilliance. “I played pretty well today, but when you run into a 115 average, there’s not much you can do,” he said. “When Luke’s on it, he’s untouchable. I held in there and gave it my best, but he was just too good in the end.” Humphries had battled his own challenges, starting with an unconvincing 6-3 win over Haupai Puha, averaging just 89.47. “It’s no secret that I’m going through a difficult patch at the moment,” he admitted, but he found form on Finals Night, defeating Damon Heta 6-2 and Chris Dobey 7-4 to reach the final, where he averaged a respectable 102.
The tournament saw other thrilling moments. Gerwyn Price edged Josh Rock 6-5 in a quarter-final thriller, narrowly missing a nine-darter, while Chris Dobey outlasted top seed Stephen Bunting 6-3. The first round featured strong performances, with Mike De Decker crushing Gordon Mathers 6-1 and Damon Heta overpowering Dean Reyland by the same score. Littler’s victory, his fourth straight win over Humphries, tipped their head-to-head record to 8-7 in his favor. “I just want to win everything that comes my way,” Littler said, eyeing a fourth consecutive title at the European Tour event in Antwerp. As the darts world turns its attention to Amsterdam, Littler’s relentless form and infectious charisma continue to redefine the sport, proving that “The Nuke” is a force to be reckoned with.
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