Once again, teenage phenom Luke Littler stands atop the mountain, silverware held aloft, surveying the darting landscape below. This, however, was not just another glittering addition to an already groaning trophy cabinet.
This was the one of just two he needed to complete the full set of PDC ranking TV majors – the Winmau World Masters. After five breathless days of action in Milton Keynes, a journey that began with a room packed full of hopefuls and quiet dreamers, the tournament distilled itself into the most inevitable of conclusions.
The top two ranked players on the planet. The sport’s gravitational pull. The pairing now universally known as the two Lukes. Littler’s afternoon began with ruthless efficiency, dismantling Josh Rock in a resounding whitewash. He then had to dig far deeper, surviving a match dart in a pulsating semi-final against a familiar thorn in his side, Gerwyn Price, in a contest brimming with tension and emotional volatility.
After both traded sets – then in the decider- shared the opening two legs. Finally, following an absorbing tungsten battle it came down to a shootout. Naturally we know which way that went.
By contrast, Luke Humphries enjoyed a comparatively serene passage into the final. A commanding 4-0 dismantling of Danny Noppert earlier in the day was followed by another clean sheet in the evening against the ever-advancing Gian van Veen. The outcome may not have shocked, but the scoreline certainly raised eyebrows.
And so, a fitting finale awaited. Reigning World Masters champion versus the world number one and current world champion. A rivalry already rich in chapters, one destined for endless sequels, and one that almost never disappoints. This occasion was no different.
It was the younger Luke who struck first, surging into a commanding 3-1 lead with fearless intent. Cool Hand responded with trademark resolve, dragging the contest back to parity in a race to six sets.
They traded blows once more before Humphries edged ahead at 5-4, the finishing line suddenly in sight.Unperturbed, The Nuke detonated back into life, claiming the tenth set without concession. Then the darting world collectively inhaled.
With the throw, Littler took the opening leg. When Humphries failed to capitalise after breaking first, the invitation was too generous. Littler accepted instantly. Title secured.It is scarcely believable that after little more than two years as a professional, the Warringtonian now owns every PDC ranking major bar one – the European Championship.
At just 19, he is chasing completeness at a pace the sport has never witnessed. As for the numbers in the final? Both averages soared well north of a ton, with a merciless assault on the treble twenty bed producing 25 maximums.
Darts of extraordinary opulence. Astounding, elite, and unmistakably historic.
RESULTS
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 4-2 Chris Dobey
Luke Littler 4-0 Josh Rock
Gian van Veen 4-2 James Wade
Luke Humphries 4-0 Danny Noppert
Semi-Finals Luke Littler 5-4 Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries 5-0 Gian van Veen
Final
Luke Littler 6-5 Luke Humphreys
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC / T Lanning
