WARRINGTON’S Luke Littler will have to wait for his next title after failing to defend the Bahrain Darts Masters last night.
Stephen Bunting picked up his first ever World Series win at the Bahrain darts Masters as Littler, the reigning world champion, was beaten 6-2 by finalist Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.
Price started his evening by dumping reigning world champion Luke Littler out in the quarter-finals with a tournament record 115.3 average.
The Warrington teenager was looking to defend his title in Bahrain, the first he picked up on the PDC professional circuit. It was also the tournament he hit a nine-darter against Nathan Aspinall in the 2024 quarter-finals, his first of four across the year.
He came up against a Price in sensational form, the Welshman going eight darts into what would have been a sensational nine-darter before missing D12.
It means Littler, who was on the end of a 6-2 scoreline against Price, will have to wait for his second title of 2025 after being crowned World Champion.
Following his defeat Littler tweeted: “Not my night but great game @Gezzyprice 🤝 heading home for a few days then looking forward to the dutch darts masters.”
Not my night but great game @Gezzyprice🤝 heading home for a few days then looking forward to the dutch darts masters👌🏼 pic.twitter.com/IaURalVUUL
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) January 17, 2025