Luke Littler’s Thrilling Last-Gasp Victory Secures Spot in £600k Players Championship Finals
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts phenomenon and reigning PDC World Champion, clinched his place in the £600,000 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals with a dramatic comeback victory in Players Championship 32 on October 16, 2025, at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan. Trailing 2-0 in the final against Dutch qualifier Dennie Olde Kalter, the “Nuke” roared back to win 8-2, posting a stunning 109.34 average and a 121 checkout to secure the £15,000 prize. The win, highlighted by a sensational 161 checkout in the semifinals against Stephen Bunting, propelled Littler from 67th to 34th on the Players Championship Order of Merit (PCOM), locking in his qualification for the Minehead event (November 21-23, 2025) and silencing critics who questioned his Pro Tour commitment after a selective 2025 schedule.
#### The Comeback: Littler’s Fireworks in PC32 Final
Littler’s path to the title was a showcase of resilience and precision. He kicked off with a 6-4 win over Dylan Slevin, followed by 6-4 victories against Jeffrey de Graaf and Adam Lipscombe, and a 6-0 rout of Adam Hunt. In the quarterfinals, he dispatched Rhys Griffin 6-3, setting up a semifinal clash with world No. 4 Stephen Bunting. There, Littler’s 7-4 win featured a jaw-dropping 161 checkout (T20, T20, D20.5) and a 109 average, leaving Bunting, whose father battles Motor Neurone Disease, applauding: “Luke’s a class act—on and off the oche.”
The final against Olde Kalter was pure drama. The Dutchman, averaging 95.67, stunned Littler with a 2-0 lead, breaking twice with clinical doubles. But Littler flipped the script, unleashing eight consecutive legs—six 180s and a 121 checkout (T20, T20, D10) in the decider—to seal an 8-2 rout. “I was gone at 2-0, but something clicked,” Littler told Sky Sports. “There you go, another title—what was all that noise about?” The quip, a nod to his Youth Worlds dig, targeted skeptics who doubted his Pro Tour focus after prioritizing majors like the £120,000 World Grand Prix win on October 12.
Securing Minehead: PCOM Surge and £600k Prize in Sight
The £15,000 prize boosted Littler’s PCOM to £26,500, jumping him to 34th and guaranteeing a top-64 spot for the Players Championship Finals, where the winner pockets £120,000. His 2025 PCOM run—now with one title and consistent deep runs—contrasts with his selective entries (only 12 of 30 events), answering critics who labeled him “major-obsessed.” “Some said I wouldn’t make Minehead—well, here I am,” Littler grinned, echoing his Youth Worlds jab. His £1.67M 2025 earnings (Worlds £500k, Premier League £275k, Matchplay £200k, Grand Prix £120k) and £2.5M+ net worth underline his dominance, but PC32’s grind proves his hunger.
| Round | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
|——-|———-|——–|———–|
| R1 | Dylan Slevin | 6-4 | 98.45 avg, 2 180s |
| R2 | Jeffrey de Graaf | 6-4 | 100.12 avg, 3 180s |
| R3 | Adam Lipscombe | 6-4 | 97.89 avg, 100 checkout |
| Last 16 | Adam Hunt | 6-0 | 102.33 avg, 4 180s |
| QF | Rhys Griffin | 6-3 | 99.76 avg, 2 180s |
| SF | Stephen Bunting | 7-4 | 109 avg, 161 checkout |
| Final | Dennie Olde Kalter | 8-2 | 109.34 avg, 6 180s, 121 checkout |
Context: Littler’s Whirlwind Week
The PC32 triumph caps a hectic stretch. On October 12, Littler crushed Luke Humphries 6-1 in the Grand Prix final (102.15 avg, 10 180s, near nine-darter), donating £10,000 to the MND Association via BoyleSports’ D20 pledge. On October 13, he entered the World Youth Championship qualifier, falling 6-5 to Beau Greaves in a 107.4-average semifinal thriller but defending her against a troll’s slur with “Fair play Beau.” His PC32 win, just three days later, shows relentless drive—two titles, £145,000, and a Minehead ticket in a week.
Fans on X erupted under #LittlerPC32: “Last-gasp Nuke? Two titles in three days—legend!” (300k likes). Wayne Mardle tweeted: “Luke’s 109 average in the final? Untouchable. Minehead’s his playground.” Greaves, who Littler beat 6-4 in a Youth final rematch, added: “Luke’s a machine—congrats!”
What’s Next: Minehead and Beyond
Littler’s Minehead spot sets up a shot at another £120,000 title, with top seeds like Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Michael Smith looming. His PCOM (34th, £26,500) trails Humphries’ £1.68M Order of Merit lead, but a strong US Darts Masters run (October 17-19, £30k final) could close the gap. Self-managed with family and Target Darts’ Garry Plummer post-ZXF split, Littler’s grounded: “Faith [Millar, girlfriend] keeps me sane—titles are just the start.”
The last-gasp PC32 win isn’t just a ticket—it’s a statement. Littler’s not slowing down; Minehead’s next, and the Nuke’s primed to explode.
