The fairytale run has come to an end for 16-year-old Luke Littler, who lost to world number 1 Luke Humphries 7-4 in the final of the World Darts Championship.
It was a nail-biting battle of the Lukes – and the youngest world darts final in the sport’s history – at a packed Alexandra Palace in London, as both hunted the $1 million payday.
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Luke Littler blew a chance to go 5-2 up in the PDC World Championship final, losing 7-4 to Luke Humphries.
It was a cat and mouse final, with sets alternating between third seed “Cool Hand” Luke Humphries (28) who took the first set and third sets, and the youngster who claimed the second set.
Reigning junior world champion Luke “The Nuke” Littler, who turns 17 on January 21, then teed off, claiming the fourth, fifth and sixth sets in quick succession, going two sets up against the world No 1.
Littler stumbled, however, missing a crucial shot to claim the seventh set and instead, the experience of Humphries showed when he closed the gap a throw later, claiming the seventh and eighth sets, levelling the scores.
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Luke Humphries celebrates with the trophy after winning the PDC World Darts Championship final.
Littler, the Manchester United fan from Warrington and the youngest player to reach a world darts championship final, tried to fight back in the ninth set, going down to the final dart of the third leg, but Humphries claimed it going 5-4 up, then 6-4 up after winning the 10th set.
Humphries – who was on an 18-game winning streak heading into the final – was challenged in the 11th set, going down to the final leg, but claimed the title – which included 23 180s – with a double 8.
Post-match, the two players embraced, and the new champion said he couldn’t put into words how good winning the title was. He opened up about his battle with depression and thought his darts career was over, but the win helped a lot.
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Luke Humphries won the final 7-4 to cement his status as the best darts player in the world.
He praised his competitor and said Littler was a “relentless” player.
“He’s an incredible talent… he will win plenty I’m sure,” he told Sky Sport.
“Now it’s about motivating yourself to do more and more. Luke has been an unbelievable talent, not just on the dartboard. He’s something else.
“He’s one of the best players in the world, there’s no doubt about that.”
Littler said the experience was “unbelievable” but the only negative was losing too many legs.
“Every game has been good. Fair play to Luke. He deserves it,” he said.
“I’m happy. Top 32, runner-up on my debut. It’s unbelievable.”
But it wasn’t all bad for the youngster who walked away with a $500,000(NZD) second prize cheque.
