daniel chigunwe
LUKE LITTLER picked up his TENTH title in 11 months to become an oche millionaire.
The teen sensation blitzed Martin Lukeman with 15 legs in succession to win 16-3, taking the Grand Slam of Darts on his debut in Wolverhampton.
Littler, 17, had overcome Gary Anderson in an epic semi-final deciding leg and then completed the job against battling ‘Smash’ to seal the £150,000 jackpot.
It continues an incredible debut season for ‘The Nuke’ to take his prize money over the magical £1million mark and he’s also now up to No.5 in the world rankings – having been No.164 a year ago.
Littler, who also hit a new Slam tournament record of 60 180s, said: “I’m just so glad to win it. I’ve been playing well all week long. But it’s paid off.
“I’ve always got to have the scoring power with me. I can’t afford to drop off in any leg. I had a slow start but I kicked on from there.
“I knew coming into the tournament if I did get my hands on the trophy I’d be up to No.5 in the world. But No.5 in the space of 12 months. There’s another two more rankings tournaments to come. I hope I can go higher from five.”
Lukeman, who won £70k, said: “He’s just different gravy. He’s brilliant isn’t he.”
In the clash of Luke boy vs Lukeman, it was the kid who was fast out of the traps hitting a 180 in each of the opening five legs to come from 2-0 down and take the next 15 legs. For Lukeman, the writing was already on the wall as Littler re-wrote the record books.
‘The Nuke’ never looked like relinquishing control of the clash with a ruthless display peppered with 180s leaving Lukeman with just three darts at a double during that fifteen-leg romp.
In turned into an anti-climax as Littler ran riot and Lukeman finally got a leg. Littler duly wrapped it up with a double six. — Sun.
Online Reporter