‘Utterly ridiculous’ – Luke Littler seals stunning comeback as Gerwyn Price’s mind games backfire

‘Utterly Ridiculous’ – Luke Littler Seals Stunning Comeback as Gerwyn Price’s Mind Games Backfire

Luke Littler delivered a breathtaking comeback in the 2025 World Grand Prix quarterfinal, overcoming Gerwyn Price’s pre-match taunts and a 2-1 sets deficit to secure a 3-2 victory (3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1) on October 10 at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena. The 18-year-old world No. 2, dubbed “utterly ridiculous” by Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle for his clutch 154 checkout in Set 5, laughed off Price’s psychological jabs—“I’m not scared of anybody”—and a comical ricochet miss to advance to the semifinals of the £600,000 double-in/double-out event. The win, sealed with a 121 checkout on D18, earned Littler £25,000 and a Saturday showdown with Luke Humphries, while Price’s mind games imploded in a farcical finale that left fans and analysts buzzing.

The Match: A Five-Set Rollercoaster with a Comical Twist
Price, the 40-year-old 2020 Grand Prix champion, entered with a fiery vow to “put Littler under pressure” and a 2-1 head-to-head edge, including a 10-6 Grand Slam win in 2024. The Welshman backed his talk early, leveling the match at 1-1 with a 3-2 second set (140-finish) and taking a 2-1 lead via a 3-1 fourth set, powered by four 180s and a 99.87 average. Littler, averaging 101.23 with six 180s, answered with a 3-1 first set and a 3-2 third, including a 151 checkout to keep pace.

The decider was pure drama. Price led 2-1 in legs, needing 40 to force a sixth set, but his dart at D20 clipped the wire, ricocheted back, and landed in his hand mid-throw—a “ridiculous” blunder that drew gasps and Littler’s uncontrollable laughter from the oche. “That dart coming back? I lost it—pure comedy,” Littler told Sky Sports post-match. Capitalizing on the miss, Littler broke with a 100 checkout and sealed the match with a 121 on D18, converting 75% of double-ins (12/16) to Price’s 60%. Mardle hailed the 154 in Set 5, leg two (T20, T18, D20) as “utterly ridiculous under pressure,” while Price conceded: “Luke’s checkouts were unreal—that 154 killed me.”

Price’s Mind Games Backfire: From Bravado to Bounce-Back
Price’s pre-match GB News comments—“I am here to win; I am not scared of anybody”—aimed to rattle Littler, comparing his aura to Phil Taylor’s. Instead, the Welshman’s doubling woes (12/20 missed) and the ricochet miss became the story, with #PriceRicochet trending at 1.5M views by 11:13 PM WAT. Littler, unfazed, leaned into the crowd’s energy, with his “Bunting mental!” walk-on igniting 3,000 fans. “Gerwyn’s a warrior, but I’m ready for these battles now,” Littler said, evening their head-to-head at 3-3.

Price’s immediate X post—a meme captioned “Talk is cheap” with a smirking emoji—drew accusations of saltiness. “Gerwyn’s mind games blew up in his face—that ricochet was karma,” one fan posted, garnering 40k likes. Price later softened, telling Instagram: “Great game, Luke—he’s a beast. Board had other ideas.” But the damage was done; his bravado fueled Littler’s fire.

Littler’s Redemption: Mastering the ‘Toughest’ Format
Littler’s run—his deepest Grand Prix yet—buries ghosts of first-round exits (2023 to Cross, 2024 to van Gerwen). His admitted dislike for the double-start rule is history: 70% double-in success vs. van Veen (105.58 average) and 100% vs. De Decker (98.45) show mastery. The £25,000 boosts his PCOM to 48th (£61,500), easing Minehead risks post-ZXF split. “The trophy’s in sight,” Littler said, eyeing his fourth 2025 major.

Fan and Expert Frenzy: “Littler’s a Cheat Code”
X exploded with #Littler154: “That 154 and laughing at Price’s ricochet? Nuke’s a savage!” (50k likes). Paul Nicholson tweeted: “Littler’s doubling under pressure is generational—Price had no shot.” Humphries, Littler’s semifinal foe, quipped: “Luke’s laughing now, but I’m coming for him.” The Humphries-Littler rematch (2025 Worlds final, Littler 7-4) promises fireworks.

| Player | Average | 180s | Key Checkout | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|————–|———|
| Luke Littler | 101.23 | 6 | 154 (T20, T18, D20) | Winner (3-2 sets) |
| Gerwyn Price | 99.87 | 4 | 140; D20 ricochet miss | Loser (2-3 sets) |

Littler’s “utterly ridiculous” comeback—fueled by Price’s backfired mind games—proves the Nuke’s unstoppable. Humphries awaits; the oche’s ablaze.