Luke Littler: Phil Taylor would struggle in today’s game and I’ll beat his record – if I can be bothered
Luke Littler Says Phil Taylor Would Struggle in Modern Darts and Vows to Break His Record – If He Can Be Bothered
Darts prodigy Luke Littler has stirred the pot once again, claiming legendary player Phil Taylor would find it tough to compete in today’s ultra-competitive landscape.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast with Gary Neville, Littler, already a World Champion and UK Open winner in 2025, suggested he could surpass Taylor’s record of 16 World Championships—if he’s motivated enough.
“There’s a record there to be broken, but it’s going to take some doing,” Littler said. “Phil won the World Matchplay 16 times too, so yeah, it’s not easy.
But the game’s moved on. The competition’s better now. You still had Taylor, Bristow—great players—but today’s field is stronger. I think Phil would struggle now.”
Despite his bold comments, the 18-year-old insists Taylor was a childhood hero.
“Phil Taylor was my idol growing up. If I can be bothered to stay in darts that long, maybe I’ll beat his record. He was 52 when he won his 16th. If I want to, I will.”
When asked what might keep him in the sport for decades, Littler didn’t sugarcoat his response:
“Probably just the money, to be fair.”
A Champion with Influence
Littler’s meteoric rise has helped fuel a new wave of interest in darts, especially among younger fans. He’s already made a mark off the oche with his own academy and a strong presence across grassroots programs.
“There are loads of academies in Warrington and across the country now. I’ve definitely played a part. Taking a picture with a kid? That can make their day—or their year.”
Currently leading the Premier League table, Littler recently took down Michael van Gerwen in Cardiff and continues to dominate the tour.
No Time to Practice—But No Problem
Surprisingly, Littler admits he barely practices due to the packed darts calendar.
“Some people love to practice, but I rarely do during the week. Last week, I hadn’t even picked up a dart since the previous tournament.
“We’ve got Premier League Thursdays, then we’re flying out Friday for weekend tournaments. Mondays and Tuesdays are for pro tours. My practice? Playing matches.”
He occasionally skips events just to recharge.
“We’re playing Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday every week. You need a break sometimes.”
But don’t mistake that for burnout—he still thrives on the pressure and loves the showmanship:
“Pressure moments are my favourite. If your opponent’s sitting on a double and I’ve got a 100+ checkout, I want to hit it. Fans will let you know if you miss, but when that third dart hits—there’s nothing like it.”
Banter and Mind Games
Littler travels with fellow stars Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall and revealed that the mental side of the game is alive and well backstage.
“Van Gerwen always tries to get in my head before games when we throw for the bull. But I always beat him to it.”
Next up, Littler heads to Berlin for Week Nine of the Premier League, where he currently leads the standings with 26 points, ahead of Luke Humphries and Van Gerwen.
