Luke Littler announces he will ‘switch it up’ at Players Championship Finals as he reveals change of tactics
LUKE LITTLER revealed he is set to change tactics at the Players Championship Finals.
The 17-year-old smashed Danny Noppert 10-3 yesterday to set up a clash against Mike De Decker today.
In his victory over the Dutchman, Littler twice landed six perfect darts but fell short of the nine-darter on his seventh throw.
He was ironically jeered by the crowd at Butlin’s Minehead when he was left visibly frustrated by his failed attempts.
Asked if the nine-darter was getting closer, The Nuke revealed he would be changing tactic to secure it.
Littler said: “Every time I start any leg with a 180 they expect me to follow up.
“If I do get a shot it’s going to be treble 17 for double 15, so I’ll switch it up.”
Littler is no stranger to changing his checkout routes, brilliantly landing a 20 and two bullseyes to seal a leg from 120 in showbiz fashion against Ritchie Edhouse yesterday.
On how he trains for his big finishes, the teen sensation revealed: “I don’t really play online but when I play against the computer bot I put it up to 105, 110 averages to see if I can win.”
Littler’s incredible rise this year has seen be dubbed the “next Phil Taylor”.
But he is not getting carried away with the comparisons, adding: “It’s crazy to think about trying to beat Phil Taylor’s records of 16 world titles.
“But I guess I’ll just have to keep going for years and years.”
Luke Littler prize money breakdown
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after his Grand Slam of Darts victory:
World Championship 2023 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championships events – £71,500
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000