NINE DART Star Littler continues sensational run of form to claim maiden Pro Tour at the first attempt:
Teenage sensation Luke Littler fired in a perfect nine dart leg on his way to victory at Players Championship One on Monday, after defeating Ryan Searle 8-7 in the final, as the 2024 PDC Pro Tour season commenced at the Robin Park Tennis Centre, Wigan.
Littler, who rose to global fame during his run to the most recent PDC World Championship Final, reached the decider on his Pro Tour debut by recording victories on the day against Jim Williams, Luke Woodhouse, Michele Turetta, Cameron Menzies, James Hurrell and Alan Soutar, with his second perfect leg of the season coming against the Italian Turetta. The 17-year-old dropped just sixteen legs across his six victories to set up a clash with compatriot, Ryan Searle.
The final began with Littler pinning back-to-back 13 dart legs to move 2-0 lead, before the tie incredibly saw 11 straight holds of throw, which was ended by Searle in Leg 14 with an 11-dart break of throw to send the day’s finale to a 15th and deciding leg. Kick starting the decider with a 180 proved to be vital for Littler, as he sealed the victory in 13 darts to pick up a maiden Pro Tour title and deny ‘Heavy Metal’ the chance of clinching the £15,000 top prize.
Searle’s run to the final saw the 2021 Players Championship Finals’ runner-up drop just seven legs across the day, as he recorded victories against Simon Whitlock, Jeffrey Sparidaans, Dom Taylor, Mike De Decker, Jose De Sousa and Gian Van Veen, before being denied by ‘The Nuke’.
Elsewhere, there were Quarter Final runs for ‘The History Maker’ Brendan Dolan and Welshman Nick Kenny, whilst the likes of top seed Dave Chisnall, newly crowned Masters Champion Stephen Bunting, as well as 2x World Champion Peter Wright were amongst the high profile first round casualties.
Along with Littler, the day also saw a further two nine dart legs hit from new Tour Card Holder Leighton Bennett and Former Pro Tour Event winner Mickey Mansell.
The PDC Pro Tour double header concludes on Tuesday with Players Championship Two taking place in Wigan, with the 128 players returning to compete for a further £125,000 in prize money, with play beginning at 13:00 GMT.
Play will be broadcasted across four streaming boards on PDC.TV and various bookmaker websites worldwide, with all live scores and results on tv.dartconnect.com.
Players Championship (Event 1)
Last 16
Luke Littler 6-2 Cameron Menzies
James Hurrell 6-3 Jamie Hughes
Alan Soutar 6-1 Lee Evans
Nick Kenny 6-5 Mickey Mansell
Ryan Searle 6-0 Mike De Decker
Jose De Sousa 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
Brendan Dolan 6-4 Ricardo Pietreczko
Gian Van Veen 6-5 Kim Huybrechts
Quarter Finals
Luke Littler 6-3 James Hurrell
Alan Soutar 6-5 Nick Kenny
Ryan Searle 6-2 Jose De Sousa
Gian Van Veen 6-5 Brendan Dolan
Semi Finals
Luke Littler 7-6 Alan Soutar
Ryan Searle 7-3 Gian Van Veen
Final
Luke Littler 8-7 Ryan Searle
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC
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