With the curtain about to be raised on America’s grandest darts event – the US Masters – in the country’s most iconic venue, Madison Square Garden, it’s the perfect stage for reigning PDC World Champion Luke Littler to once again strut his stuff.
Even though the teenage phenomenon has already touched plenty of rainbows in what is still the infancy of his career, there remains a few pinch-me moments – even for him – as he reflects on his road to New York City with Online Darts’ Phill Barrs:
“Yeah, it’s unbelievable. A lad from Warrington on billboards in Times Square, New York City – it’s just as much a roller-coaster ride for my family as it is for me. But it’s all down to the darts I play, and what I put in.
I’ve worked hard to get myself up the rankings. For us players, it’s great to come here a few days early, do some sightseeing, speak to everyone – then it’s time to go to work.”
It’s almost hard to believe that The Nuke is only in his second year on the PDC circuit. Safe to say, his Tour Card isn’t under threat any time soon. Littler took a moment to reflect on how far he’s come:
“Last year was all about proving everyone wrong – winning European Tour titles and Players Championship events. When I was selected for the Premier League the first time, everyone said it was a fluke, that I wasn’t ready – but I went on and won it. This year, the final didn’t go to plan, but now I can settle and look forward to the second half of the season.”
Pipped at the post in the O2 by compatriot Luke Humphries – which leads us neatly onto the recent World Cup of Darts, where the duo teamed up for England. And it wasn’t without some pretty harsh and unfair negative press:
“Yeah, there was a bit of flak. Obviously, it was Gezzy [Gerwyn Price] who said we didn’t turn up at the same time to the venue or sit together – but I watched Luke’s [Humphries] interview and we were just doing our own thing. I don’t want to be there four hours before a match – I only need two. We didn’t click, fair enough, but I’m sure we’ll be back again.“
Germany had already played two group games and were more match-ready. For me, it was a totally new stage, a new atmosphere – it just didn’t happen. Hopefully they move the venue next year”.
He might have meant country there, not just venue – hard to tell. One thing’s for sure: Littler’s off-the-oche adventures are growing just as fast as his darting legacy.
A friendship with social media influencer and content creator AngryGinge nearly landed him a surprise debut in a very high-profile football match:
“I could have played in Soccer Aid. Just beforehand, I was away at the World Cup and only got back to Manchester Airport early that morning. AngryGinge texted me to say if I wanted to play, he could sort it – but after messaging back to say I was too tired, I fell asleep.”
Must’ve been the jet lag – or maybe just the one-hour time zone leap. Still, the youngster had nothing but praise for his mate after a strong showing on the pitch:
“He’s just a lad from Salford and he’s helped me a lot. I’d have him at United now. One day in the future, I’d love to play Soccer Aid – it’s massive, the amount of money they’ve raised. It’s every year, and there’ll be loads of opportunities to come.”
Littler there referring to his beloved Manchester United – and for anyone who watched them last season, AngryGinge might just be the missing piece to help them avoid relegation. As it stands, Littler’s chances of winning another Premier League title look infinitely better than United’s hopes of lifting the other one.
It’s Jules van Dongen up first for the World Champion – and all eyes will be on whether the oche prodigy can land his first professional career title on American soil.
—–ends—-
Images: PDC
