WARRINGTON teenager Luke Littler missed out on a spot in the Premier League darts final on night four in Newcastle after being beaten 6-5 by Michael van Gerwen.
The teenage sensation beat Peter Wright 6-5 in the quarter-finals in a close encounter that went the distance.
After getting a grip on the semi-final, Van Gerwen missed six match darts allowing Littler to take it to a decider.
But the Dutchman kept his composure in the final leg, hitting a 90 finish to secure his spot in the final against Nathan Aspinall.
Meanwhile, Luke Littler has dismissed as “crazy” predictions that he could be bigger than Phil Taylor.
The teenager has not only taken the darts world by storm but become a household name since his stunning run to the final of the World Championship as a 16-year-old in January.
Such has been his impact that Michael Smith, the current world number three, recently claimed Littler could go on to achieve even greater things than record 16-time world champion Taylor.
Littler, who turned 17 shortly after his headline-grabbing heroics at Alexandra Palace, told the PA news agency: “I don’t think anyone’s beating that record! It’s just crazy, crazy to think of me being bigger than Phil.
“I’ve said to many people I’ve not really set any goals. I just get on with it. I just have to throw my darts and see where they go.
“I’m still gobsmacked that I’m here, getting all these opportunities. I’m just taking it in my stride as I do.”
Luke Littler has proved his World Championship performance was no flash in the pan, throwing nine-dart finishes on the way to tournament victories at the Bahrain Masters and Players Championship in Wigan.
He also now has a PDC tour card, a place in the Premier League and has risen to 30th in the world rankings.
The Warrington-based youngster has coped impressively with his whirlwind introduction to the sport at the elite level and is relishing competing against the best.
“I just love playing in front of a crowd,” said Littler, who signed a new multi-year partnership with Target Darts on Wednesday.
“I enjoy trying my best to put on a performance and I know I can play against the best. I’ve broken into the top 32, so hopefully I’m here for many years to come.”
Littler’s agreement with Target coincides with the launch of a new range of “The Nuke” products by the company, including darts sets designed, at affordable prices, for players new to the game.
Great night in Newcastle 🖤🤍🎯 Obviously disappointed to not make the final well done @MvG180 on a hatrick of wins 🏆🏆🏆 alls i can do is enjoy it and look who I’m playing week in week out at 17 👀 the worlds best players ❤️ ☢️ https://t.co/9ACLWRaOgU
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) February 23, 2024
