Darts superstar Luke Littler has made an impressive comeback after his surprising exit from the Youth World Championship.
Next tournament victory for Luke Littler: The reigning darts world champion prevailed at the 32nd Players Championship event of the year.
On Wednesday, Littler defeated in order Dylan Slevin (6:4), Jeffrey De Graaf (6:4), Adam Lipscombe (6:0), Adam Hunt (6:4), Rhys Griffin (6:3), Stephen Bunting (7:4) and finally Dennie Olde Kalter (8:2).
In the final against the Dutchman, “The Nuke” shone with a strong average of 110.73. Littler had already achieved a three-digit points average in the semi-finals (109.5), the quarter-finals (100.64) and the round of 16 (102.48).
“I’m really happy to have achieved a victory,” the Englishman was quoted as saying by the PDC professional association. The best German on Wednesday was Niko Springer. The 25-year-old made it to the round of 16.
Turbulent darts week for Luke Littler
Littler was eliminated in the first round against Richie Edhouse (4:6) at the 31st Players Championship event of the year on Tuesday, although he also played an average of 106.45 there.
On Monday, Littler surprisingly lost 5-6 in the semi-finals of the Youth World Championships against his compatriot Beau Greaves. The 21-year-old was a “special talent,” the darts giant praised in his Instagram story.
A day earlier, Littler triumphed 6-1 in sets against world number one Luke Humphries at the World Grand Prix in Leicester, celebrating another major victory in his young darts career.
Video: Luke Littler: From child prodigy to global star
The darts season is entering its hot phase. There are many important tournaments on the calendar in the coming weeks. The 2026 Darts World Championship begins on December 11th at Alexandra Palace in London.