At just ‘:[’18, Luke Littler, the darts prodigy known as “The Nuke,” has added another chapter to his extraordinary career by clinching the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters title in Auckland. Fresh off his Australian Darts Masters triumph, the Warrington teenager delivered a performance for the ages, averaging a staggering 115.02—the highest ever in a World Series final—to defeat world number one Luke Humphries 8-4. A near-nine-dart finish during the match sparked a moment of invincibility, with Littler declaring, “That’s when I felt like no one could beat me.” Supported by his girlfriend Faith Millar and a roaring crowd at the Spark Arena, Littler’s back-to-back World Series victories signal his relentless ascent toward darts domination.
Littler’s path to the Auckland crown was a rollercoaster of resilience and brilliance. On Friday, he faced a stern test against New Zealand’s Mark Cleaver, a 57-year-old local star who pushed him to a 4-4 tie before Littler rallied to win 6-4. “It wasn’t easy up there. Mark’s not the quickest player, so I just tried to get into some sort of rhythm,” he admitted, acknowledging his sluggish start. But on finals night, Littler transformed into an unstoppable force. He dispatched Mike De Decker 6-2 in the quarter-finals, landing a spectacular 170 checkout, and then crushed Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the semi-finals with another 170 finish, dropping just four legs across both matches. The final against Humphries was a masterclass, as Littler surged to a 3-0 lead with a 13-darter and maintained his grip despite a brief fightback. “I felt unbeatable up there,” he said, crediting the electric atmosphere: “The crowd was brilliant, and the venue was incredible—it felt like a Premier League night.”
The pivotal moment came during the final’s interval, when Littler threw a nine-darter in practice, a feat that carried over into the match. With seven perfect darts, he came agonizingly close to a televised nine-darter, missing double 12 but hitting 41 to go 7-3 up. “That’s when I felt like no one could beat me,” he reflected, describing the surge of confidence that propelled him to victory. His 115 average, coupled with seven 180s and 50% checkout success, left Humphries, who averaged a respectable 102.31, with little chance. “I played pretty well today, but when you run into a 115 average, there’s not much you can do,” Humphries conceded. “When Luke’s on it, he’s untouchable.” The win marked Littler’s fourth straight victory over Humphries, flipping their head-to-head to 8-7 in his favor and inching him closer to the world number one ranking, with his career earnings now surpassing £2.1 million.
Littler’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of meteoric. Since bursting onto the scene with a 2024 World Championship final appearance at age 16, he’s completed the PDC Triple Crown—World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay—becoming the youngest to do so with his 107.24-average triumph over James Wade in Blackpool. His Australian Darts Masters win the previous week saw him overcome a tense 6-5 battle against Haupai Puha before dominating De Decker 8-4. “It’s not gone to plan this year in the World Series, but I’ve finally picked it up,” Littler noted, reflecting on his earlier struggles. His Auckland performance, however, silenced any doubters, with 15 maximums across the day and a commanding presence that echoed his 140.91 set average against Michael van Gerwen at the 2025 World Championship.
Off the oche, Littler’s personal life has garnered attention, with Faith Millar, his 19-year-old girlfriend from Wigan, cheering him on throughout his Down Under campaign. Their relationship, public since July, has weathered online criticism, but Littler remains unfazed. “I just said, ‘They’re jealous. They wanna ruin us,’” he told reporters, praising Faith’s support: “She’s a lovely lady.” As Littler prepares for the World Series Finals in Amsterdam from September 12-14, where he’s the defending champion, his warning to rivals resonates: “I’m playing very well at the moment, I’m enjoying my darts, and hopefully I can keep this winning streak going.” With a fourth televised nine-darter under his belt and a game that blends raw power with pinpoint precision, Littler is not just chasing titles—he’s redefining the sport.
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