Newly acclaimed world number one, Luke Littler continued his merciless crusade through the world of professional darts, adding yet another glittering PDC TV major to his ever-expanding treasure hoard. This time, the teenage titan overcame Nathan Aspinall 11–8 to seize the Players Championship Finals crown his sixth ‘major’ of 2025 — and one of three trophies making a debut in his cabinet.
The Nuke launched his Sunday in terrifying fashion, seeing off Chris Dobey 10–5 in a quarter-final drenched in quality. Hollywood averaged just shy of a 105 — normally the statistical passport to a comfortable victory — but against Littler, those numbers simply earn you a polite handshake and a flight home. The world champ was a few points hotter, a few klicks sharper, and devastatingly efficient on the outer ring.
The semi-final felt like déjà vu. Another monster showdown, this time against Gerwyn Price, with the Welshman firing far more clinically on the doubles. Yet even The Iceman eventually melted under the relentless furnace of Littler’s power scoring. Wave after wave of three-dart destruction carved open opportunities, and the teenager converted them with that cold, ruthless efficiency that has become his trademark. Another thriller. Another 11–8. Another step closer to destiny.
Nathan Aspinall was the final obstacle awaiting him — a man who had edged Josh Rock earlier in the day before absolutely obliterating the recently red-hot Jermaine Wattimena 11–2 in a semi-final beatdown of epic proportions. Once stable-mates, now opponents, the two embraced with warmth and respect before walking into the tungsten storm.
The opening exchanges were balanced but brutal, with Littler edging the first mini-session 3–2. By the second ad break, the margin had stretched to 6–4 — a sliver of daylight, but daylight nonetheless. Yet anyone who has watched Aspinall scrap his way through the biggest stages knows this man does not vanish quietly. Even at 9–6 down, The Asp began to coil and strike, dragging the match back to 9–8 and sending a tremor through the Minehead masses.
But Littler — as he so often does — found another gear. A flick of ignition, a tightening of the screws, and two legs later he was lifting yet another trophy, sealing an 11–8 victory with the swagger of a champion who feels utterly at home under the sport’s brightest lights.
And now the numbers become absurd. Aside from the Winmau Masters and the European Championship, Luke Littler has now won every single TV ranking major available — and he’s done it in under two years. For any other player, it would sound impossible. For this kid? It sounds entirely predictable.
Next stop: Ally Pally. Next question: who on earth is going to stop him? Aspinall? Humphries? Van Gerwen? Someone out of the blue? Right now, one brutal truth hangs over the darting world like a neon sign. If Luke Littler turns up, you’re probably not beating him.
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 10-6 Daryl Gurney
Luke Littler 10-5 Chris Dobey
Nathan Aspinall 10-8 Josh Rock
Jermaine Wattimena 10-8 James Wade
Evening Session
Semi-Finals
Luke Littler 11-8 Gerwyn Price
Nathan Aspinall 11-2 Jermaine Wattimena
Final
Luke Littler 11-8 Nathan Aspinall
—–ENDS—–
Images: T Lanning / PDC
