Littler Triumphs in Grand Slam Final Amidst Crowd Noise
Teenage darts sensation Luke 'The Nuke' Littler has successfully defended his Grand Slam of Darts title, defeating rival Luke Humphries 16-11 in a tense final. The victory at the Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton pushes the 18-year-old's earnings for the calendar year to an astonishing £1,850,500, placing him within touching distance of the £2 million mark.
Humphries Declares 'War' Ahead of World Championships
Following his defeat, a defiant Luke Humphries immediately set his sights on the upcoming World Darts Championships, declaring he was now 'at war' with his younger rival. The 30-year-old, who has now lost three consecutive finals to Littler, stated, "I'm going to win the worlds. I am [declaring war], we're going to war, World Championships, we're going to go to the final, we're going to see who's number one." Despite the loss, Humphries praised Littler, acknowledging he "deserves to be number one."
The match itself was not without controversy. At a crucial point, with Littler trailing 7-6, referee Huw Ware was forced to intervene due to disruptive shouts from the crowd during Littler's throws. The 18-year-old managed to channel his frustration, averaging over 100 in the latter stages to secure the win and the £150,000 top prize.
A Rivalry in a League of Its Own
Both players believe they are operating on a different level from the rest of the darts circuit. Humphries admitted, "I do [feel like him and Littler are in a league of their own]... I'm not being arrogant when I say that." He challenged the other players on the tour, saying, "They have to beat us. At the moment, we're playing a level better than everyone else."
This victory was particularly significant for Littler as it confirmed his new status as the world number one, overtaking Humphries at the summit of the PDC Order of Merit. He now holds a £161,500 cushion over his rival heading into the World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace in December.
Littler revealed he used advice from darts legend Phil 'The Power' Taylor to help him through the final, citing a key 160 checkout when he was 11-9 down as the "game-changer" that shifted the momentum irrevocably in his favour. The stage is now set for an explosive showdown at the Ally Pally, where a record-breaking £1 million prize awaits the winner.
