‘He’s not going to’ – Luke Littler fired warning as darts sensation looks to win missing TV major

World No. 1 Luke Littler, the 19-year-old darts sensation sweeping up titles on the PDC circuit, has been handed a candid warning from rivals as he targets one of the few remaining televised majors he hasn’t won yet.

Hunting the Full Set of TV Majors

Littler’s dominance over the past two seasons has been staggering. Since bursting onto the scene with a memorable run at the World Darts Championship, he’s gone on to secure multiple major TV titles including the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals. He also defended his World Championship title — a rare feat in modern darts. (Sky Sports)

Yet one trophy has eluded him: the Winmau World Masters, one of the sport’s most historic televised majors. Heading into the event in Milton Keynes this week, expectations are sky-high — and so is the pressure.

Rival Voices: ‘He’s Not Going to Win Every Time’

Dutch star Gian van Veen, who finished runner-up to Littler in last year’s World Championship final, offered a stark reality check ahead of their showdown this week.

Van Veen acknowledged Littler’s status as favourite but reminded fans and pundits alike that even the best players won’t win every tournament they enter. “Everyone expects Littler to win pretty much every time he plays, which he’s not going to do, but he’s going to be favourite for all of them — especially this one,” he told Sky Sports. (Sky Sports)

It’s a message echoed by others on the tour, underlining just how much target Littler carries on his back.

The Pressure of Being World No. 1

Despite his youth, Littler now shoulders an expectation normally reserved for the game’s established legends. His 2025 season saw him win six of the seven televised majors he entered after the World Masters exit — an extraordinary run of form. (Sky Sports)

But with success comes scrutiny. Veteran players recognise that while Littler can compete with anyone on his day, the margin for error in major tournaments is slim — and a few missteps could open the door for rivals hungry to claim silverware themselves.

Meanwhile, another name in darts circles — Jonny Clayton — humourously suggested that his own quarter-final victory over Littler at the Masters last year could be enough to earn him a mention in Littler’s future autobiography, highlighting how rare such wins have been against the teenager. (The Sun)

What’s Next for ‘The Nuke’?

Littler has openly stated his ambition to complete the set of TV majors by also targeting the European Championship, alongside the World Masters. But as van Veen and others point out, the path to glory is not guaranteed — even for the world’s best.

In a sport where form can shift in a single match and pressure mounts with every dart thrown, Littler’s chase for a missing TV major promises to be one of the most compelling narratives of the season.