Luke Littler wins Premier League Darts title on debut as 17-year-old hits a NINE-DARTER on way to clinching £275,000 prize with victory over Luke Humphries in repeat of World Championship final
- Luke Littler won his first major title after capturing the Premier League Darts title
- The 17-year-old won 11-7 against Luke Humphries at the O2 Arena in London
- Littler then painted an emotional figure as he celebrated the holiday with his family
Luke Littler won the Premier League 2024 title after powering past rival Luke Humphries in the final on Thursday evening.
The 17-year-old sensation triumphed 11-7 over rival Luke Humphries in the showpiece event to claim the £275,000 prize after a stunning performance at London’s O2 Arena.
It was a tight battle until Littler took control of the match by hitting a stunning nine-darter in the 11th leg to take a 6-5 lead.
Littler hit back-to-back 180s before checking out at 141 with a treble 20, treble 19 and a double 12 to send him on his way to victory on the night.
After capturing the leg, Littler took a 10-7 lead and eliminated Humphries after leaving himself at 40 and then hitting a double 20.
Luke Littler won his first major title after clinching the 2024 Premier League title on Thursday
Littler triumphed 11-7 over rival Luke Humphries in the showpiece match at the O2 Arena
The 17-year-old rushed to join girlfriend Eloise Milburn and his family to celebrate the occasion
It proved to be an emotional moment for Littler, who, after completing the final stage, headed home to his family and girlfriend Eloise Milburn.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, Littler said: ‘To all the doubters, you don’t doubt me anymore! I just picked this up.
‘It’s so good to win, but in front of my family and my girlfriend I don’t know what to do.
“I hit a nine-darter in the World Series and so did Phil [Taylor] – now I hit one here in the final, and so did he.’
Littler booked his place in the final on Thursday after powering past Michael Smith 10-5 earlier in the evening to set up a World Cup final repeat.
On that January evening it was Humphries who came out on top after a thrilling 7-4 draw, but on this occasion it was Littler who left with the trophy.
In his first time in the competition, over 16 weeks of competition, Littler flourished to finish top of the table with 40 points after four nights of winning.
His phenomenal form has earned him a place on the final night in London, where he was joined by Humphries, Smith and Michael van Gerwen.
These three men have won five world titles between them, but as the past five months have proven, Littler was never deterred by the competition.
Littler cut an emotional figure as he rushed to hug girlfriend Milburn, who only started attending the 17-year-old’s games at the beginning of this month.
They first made their relationship public at the World Championship after meeting on the darts circuit last year, and Milburn remained by Littler’s side in 2024.
Humphries, meanwhile, also spoke to Sky Sports after his defeat, saying: ‘I tried to hang on there – there was a huge breeze across the stage all night and it’s so hard to deal with.
“It’s a credit to Luke that he held on so well all night. When I went to the break at 5-5, I was stuck there.
‘But then suddenly the wind stopped and he played much better. He’s such a fantastic player, he really is.
“I think Luke and I are the two biggest players in the world right now and this was another great battle.
‘I just enjoy playing against him, I know I lose a lot [seven of the past nine meetings have gone in Littler’s favour] but I just enjoy playing against him and we will have many more fights in the future.”