Luke Littler’s recent triumph in the UK Open at Minehead was fueled by the disappointment he felt when Manchester United exited the FA Cup. The young talent expressed that the news of United’s penalty shoot-out loss “spurred him on” as he went on to dominate the tournament.
In a striking final, Littler secured his fifth Premier televised title and 12th overall PDC title by defeating three-time UK Open champion James Wade with an impressive score of 11-2. This victory has positioned Littler closer to the top of the PDC Order of Merit, narrowing the gap with Luke Humphries.
During the semi-finals, as Littler battled Jonny Clayton, he learned about Manchester United’s FA Cup elimination. At that moment, with the score tied at 5-5, he shifted gears and went on to win six of the subsequent seven legs, sealing the match with an 11-6 victory.
“In the second break, I heard about the Manchester United loss, and it inspired me,” Littler reflected, highlighting the unique motivation he found in the moment. “I won the next five legs and completed the job.”
Littler showcased his talent in the final, winning the first nine legs against Wade, who previously defeated notable players on his path to the final. The victory marked a significant achievement for the 18-year-old, whose performance throughout the tournament included hitting nine 180s and maintaining an average of 101.51.
“This is a tournament I most wanted to win,” said Littler. “I’ve progressed from the quarter-finals last year to winning it this year — it’s incredible!”
Wade recognized Littler’s dominance in the final, admitting that he was overpowered by the young prodigy. “He was the far superior player. What can you do against that?” Wade noted.
Following this triumph, Littler aims to carry his momentum into the Premier League, eyeing a place in the top four and the O2 play-offs. The next round of the Premier League is set for Thursday, with Littler facing Chris Dobey, while other high-stakes matches will also take place.
As the darts community looks forward to upcoming events, former world champion Mark Webster predicts a bright future for Littler, saying, “He’s the complete player and surely going to be aiming for the No. 1 spot as the year progresses.”
