From kebabs to the Big Apple! Luke Littler will headline the US Darts Masters in New York later this year with teen sensation one of eight PDC players selected just months after his World Championship heroics

  • Luke Littler has been selected for the tournament on May 31 and June 1 this year
  • The teenager will make his Big Apple debut as his meteoric rise continues
  • At just 17 years old, Littler has already competed in two World Series of Darts events

Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler has been confirmed for the US Darts Masters event later this year, with his meteoric rise taking him to the Big Apple.

Littler, just 17 years old, will be one of eight PDC players at the tournament, which takes place at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on May 31 and June 1.

Less than six months after competing in the World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace, where he lost to Luke Humphries, Littler is now heading transatlantic.

The prodigy has already become a regular on the PDC tour following his whirlwind rise to the top of the sport and wasted no time in collecting his first trophy.

Littler emerged victorious at this year’s inaugural World Series of Darts event in Bahrain after beating former world number 1 Michael van Gerwen 8-5.

Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler will headline this year’s US Darts Masters in New York

At just 17 years old, Littler will look to add another trophy to his collection in his stellar debut year

At just 17 years old, Littler will look to add another trophy to his collection in his stellar debut year

Littler, then 16, also hit a sensational nine-darter in his quarter-final.

The following week he lost to Van Gerwen in the final of the Dutch Masters.

A field of 16 players will battle for the title in New York, with the likes of Humphries, Michael Smith and Gerwyn Price competing to take home the prize money.

Both Smith and Van Gerwen are previous winners of the tournament, while Peter Wright, Rob Cross and Nathan Aspinall will complete the European line-up.

In the North American contingent, Matt Campbell, who lost to Littler in the third round at Ally Pally last Christmas, leads a talented pack.

Littler reached the final of the World Darts Championship, but narrowly lost to Luke Humphries

Littler reached the final of the World Darts Championship, but narrowly lost to Luke Humphries

Littler, just one of eight PDC representatives in the Big Apple, will be among the favourites

Littler, just one of eight PDC representatives in the Big Apple, will be among the favourites

Jules van Dongen, Danny Lauby and Stowe Buntz will also be involved alongside several qualifiers, the names of which are yet to be decided.

Back in Britain, Littler returns to the oche in the seventh night of the Premier League on Thursday before the big event moves on to Nottingham.

He will start the evening in top form after hitting another nine-darter on his way to winning the Belgian Open on his European Tour debut last weekend.

Littler defeated Cross 8–7 in a last-leg thriller to claim the £30,000 prize pool.

“I hit the nine and then lost the next two legs, so I’m happy to get over the line,” Littler said. “It’s always good to be involved in a good game.”