ASTONISHING LITTLER STORMS TO MR VEGAS GRAND SLAM OF DARTS GLORY
Luke Littler stormed to his maiden televised ranking title with an astonishing Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts triumph in Wolverhampton, after dispatching Martin Lukeman 16-3 in Sunday’s showpiece.
Littler – also the Premier League and World Series of Darts Finals champion in 2024 – added another televised crown to his growing haul to cap off a record-breaking campaign at WV Active Aldersley.
The 17-year-old had raced through the group stage with three wins for the loss of just four legs, before surviving a match dart to edge out World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker in a gripping last 16 tie.
Littler then powered through to the semi-finals with a 16-2 demolition of Jermaine Wattimena on Saturday, which set up a fascinating showdown against two-time World Champion Gary Anderson in the semi-finals.
The Warrington wonderkid won through a 31-leg epic against Anderson in a pulsating last four clash, recovering from 13-9 adrift to triumph with a 103 average and 16 maximums.
Anderson produced an inspired seven-leg blitz to seize control against the teenage sensation, conjuring up 164, 142 and 102 checkouts during the spell to race into an 11-7 lead.
Littler fought back from the brink to level at 14-14, before landing three 180s in the last two legs to deny the two-time World Champion in a breath-taking deciding-leg shoot-out.
The teenage superstar then produced one of the most dominant displays in Grand Slam history to demolish Lukeman and become the ninth different player to lift the iconic Eric Bristow Trophy.
Lukeman won the final’s opening two legs in 27 darts to seize the early initiative, but then it was one-way traffic as Littler won 16 of the next 17 legs to pocket the £150,000 top prize, along with the £3,500 bonus he claimed from topping his group.
“I’m so glad to win this title,” reflected Littler, who averaged 107.08 to prevail in less than 35 minutes of playing time.
“I’ve been playing really well all tournament; it’s been a tough week, but the hard work has paid off!
“I’ve always got to have my scoring power with me, no matter who I play. I had a slow start against Martin, but I kicked on from there.”
Littler now joins Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright in becoming the fourth player to lift ten PDC titles in a calendar year, which parachutes him up to fifth on the PDC Order of Merit.
“I knew coming into the tournament, if I did get my hands on the trophy I’d be up to number five in the world,” continued the young phenom.
“There’s still more ranking tournaments to go this year, so hopefully I can go a bit higher than number five!
“I cannot wait to play in both events. Hopefully I can have a deep run in Minehead, and then it’s all eyes on the big one – the World Championship!”
Lukeman, featuring in his maiden televised final, made an authoritative start to Sunday’s decider, only for Littler to reel off three consecutive legs in 13, 12 and 11 darts to lead 3-2 at the first interval.
The Premier League champion continued his relentless pursuit towards the title with another five-leg blitz in the second session, before following up 100 and 78 checkouts with a ten-darter to lead 11-2.
Lukeman halted Littler’s astonishing sequence of 15 straight legs to get a third leg on the board, but any hopes of a revival were short-lived when Littler followed up a 12th 180 with a 14-darter on double six to seal the deal.
“Luke is just different gravy,” reflected a gracious Lukeman, who has already secured his qualification for next year’s Grand Slam of Darts by virtue of his run to the final.
“He is absolutely brilliant. He has done great things for the sport and has brought in so many new fans.
“I wish Luke and his family all the best. He’s a great kid, and I couldn’t live with him tonight.”
Lukeman performed magnificently on debut in Wolverhampton, defeating Peter Wright, Rob Cross and Leonard Gates in the group stage, before seeing off Ross Smith and Cross to continue his dream debut.
The 39-year-old then became the first Tour Card Holder Qualifier to feature in a Grand Slam final after overcoming fellow debutant Mickey Mansell 16-12 in the afternoon’s opening semi-final.
Mansell made a confident start to lead 3-0, although Lukeman responded by winning six of the next seven legs – aided by 122 and 88 finishes on the bull.
The Northern Irishman enjoyed a mid-match revival to level at seven apiece, but Lukeman proved too strong, averaging 99 and landing a dozen 180s to break new ground in the West Midlands.
2024 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts
Sunday November 17
Afternoon Session
Semi-Finals
Martin Lukeman 16-12 Mickey Mansell
Luke Littler 16-15 Gary Anderson
Evening Session
Final
Luke Littler 16-3 Martin Lukeman
——ENDS——
Images: Kieran Cleeves/PDC
