Luke Littler successfully defended his Grand Slam of Darts crown to take his year earnings close to £2million after his 16-11 win over Luke Humphries
Former world number one Luke Humphries has waged war on Darts sensation Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler after his 16-11 Grand Slam of Darts final defeat to the 18-year-old. Littler, who snatched the crown from his rival after beating Danny Noppert in the semi-final, had to overcome jeers and frustration with referee Huw Ware forced to step in midway through the contest.
At the time, Littler was trailing 7-6 against Humphries and as he attempted each throw, there were shouts from the crowd of, “come on Luke” leaving the talent visibly frustrated during his preparations and collecting his darts. However, he bounced back from the external noise and charged to victory over his foe.
Like he did against Noppert, Littler turned on the style at the backend of the contest and averaged over 100 to make it back-to-back Grand Slam triumphs, in doing so he landed the £150,000 prize money to put the icing on the cake after being newly-crowned world number one.
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Humphries’ control at the PDC summit has now been surrendered with the World Darts Championships kicking off next month. Speaking after the defeat, the 30-year-old was defiant and said he is now at war with his rival, 12 years his junior.
“I’m really proud, three finals on the trot I’ve lost. I’m ready for the worlds now, I’m going to win the world’,” said Humphries. I am [declaring war], I’m disappointed to lose but that tiredness crept in, we’re going to war, World Championships, we’re going to go to the final, we’re going to see who’s number one.
“He deserves everything, he’s been a massive advocate, he deserves to be number one. I never really felt like world number one, never got that attention that I deserved but I’ve done myself justice. I’ve kept him at bay long enough, at this World Championships I’m going to give it my all.”
The 30-year-old also sent a message to the rest of the Darts corporation after admitting that both he and Littler are in a league of their own as their rivals continue to struggle to end the domination of both Luke’s.
He added: “I do [feel like him and Littler in a league of their own] I’m not being arrogant when I say that. A lot of people say it’s another Luke vs Luke final, we’re in other sides of the draw and we get to the final.
“I’m trying to stop him and I can’t, they have to beat us. At the moment, we’re playing a level better than everyone else. Regardless of what happens at number one, I want to be in a world’s final against him, we want to go again, toe-to-toe.”
Littler’s earnings for the calendar year, which form part of the Order of Merit and world rankings, stands at £1,850,500 following his £150,000 win on Sunday.
In reaching the final and successfully defending his crown, the 18-year-old overcame the £50,000 deficit to Humphries and now boasts a cushion of £161,500.
The two Luke’s will battle at Alexandra Palace in December through to January for the record-breaking £1million prize.
Littler admitted that he channelled the advice of Darts icon Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor during his final, he said: “I’ve got to say it’s a tough job getting up this morning, playing in the afternoon, no one likes it but you have to get it through it.
“Once I got over the line, I knew I was number one. Luke played amazing, I went over to him after I won it and said it was a weird game. Back-to-back. It’s always going to be close, no one is ever going to run away with everything, it’s going to be close. Phil said do the hard work, get to the final relax and let them go.
“Looking back at the game, 160 to go in at the break 11-9 because I was down, that 160 I was gone. Luke tried to hit the 170 but that was the game-changer because I went two clear.”
