Teenage Sensation Luke Littler Wins Grand Slam of Darts
Seventeen-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler has made headlines with his spectacular win at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, demolishing Martin Lukeman 16-3 in the final to secure his first major televised ranking title. The teenager's dominant victory marks a stunning continuation of his debut year on the PDC circuit, propelling him to fifth in the PDC's Order of Merit.
Littler’s triumph didn’t come without early challenges. The match started with Lukeman breaking Littler’s throw to take a quick 2-0 lead. But that was the last time Lukeman was ahead. Littler responded with an impressive 15-leg streak, leaving Lukeman with no chance to recover. The crowd cheered for Lukeman when he managed to win his third leg during the 19th leg of the match, but by then, the game was all but over.
“I’ve been playing really well all tournament, and it’s paid off,” Littler said after lifting the Eric Bristow Trophy. “This is one of the titles I’ve always wanted to win. It shows I’m here to stay.”
Littler’s performance throughout the Grand Slam was exceptional; he averaged over 100 in every match, finishing with a staggering 107.08 average in the final. However, the road to the title wasn't entirely smooth for Littler. He faced a nerve-wracking semi-final against two-time World Champion Gary Anderson, where he came from 13-9 down to win in a dramatic last-leg decider.
"I just kept believing, even when I was behind," Littler reflected.
Lukeman, who was the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final, had impressed many with his performances, taking down big names like Rob Cross and Peter Wright. Despite the tough loss in the final, Lukeman praised his opponent: “He’s just different gravy. The way he’s brought new fans into the sport is amazing. Tonight, I just couldn’t keep up.”
With this victory, Littler takes home £150,000 in prize money, adding to an already impressive haul this year. The young star, who only joined the professional circuit this year, has now claimed ten tournament wins in 2024—a feat previously achieved only by legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Peter Wright.
What’s next for Littler?
While Littler is set to compete in two more ranking tournaments this year, he’s already eyeing the World Championship as his next big target, where he is currently the favourite to win. As Littler gears up for the World Championships in December, one thing is clear: the darts world is witnessing the rise of a new superstar, and this is just the beginning of his story.
