“I felt powerless” – How does Luke Littler’s 115.02 average stack up against all-time best displays
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy, left the darts world in awe with his staggering 115.02 average in the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters final against Luke Humphries on August 16, 2025. The world No. 2’s 8-4 victory, sealed with a nine-dart finish against Mike De Decker in the quarterfinals and a 170 checkout, prompted Humphries to admit, “I felt powerless against untouchable Luke Littler” (@DartsNews02). This performance set a record for the highest average in a World Series final, but how does it compare to darts’ all-time greatest displays?
A Monumental Performance
Littler’s 115.02 average, achieved over 12 legs in Auckland’s SkyCity venue, was a masterclass in precision and endurance. With seven 180s and a 50% doubles success rate, he outclassed Humphries, who averaged a formidable 102 (pdc.tv). The nine-darter, Littler’s fourth televised maximum, ignited his confidence, as he noted, “That’s when I felt like no one could beat me” (sportbible.com). Unlike shorter matches where high averages can spike, Littler’s sustained excellence in a high-stakes final against the world No. 1 elevates its significance.
Stacking Up Against the Greats
The highest televised three-dart average remains Peter Wright’s 123.53, set in a six-leg Players Championship match against Krzysztof Ratajski in 2021. This blistering performance, in a best-of-11 format, benefited from its brevity, where a hot streak can inflate figures. Littler’s 115.02, over twice as many legs, required greater stamina, facing Humphries’ relentless pressure (nzherald.co.nz). Michael van Gerwen’s 117.94 in a 2017 Premier League match and Phil Taylor’s 114.54 in 2010 are other benchmarks, both in shorter formats (oche180.com). Littler’s average, in a longer final, arguably carries more weight due to its context—global stage, record crowd, and a top-tier opponent.
Littler’s 2025 season average of 102.91, second only to Van Gerwen’s 103.38 in 2017, underscores his consistency (@DartsOrakel). His New Zealand run included a 108.81 semifinal average against Gerwyn Price and a 100.03 quarterfinal, proving his performance was no fluke (@joshpearson180). While Wright’s 123.53 holds the numerical edge, Littler’s 115.02 ranks among the elite for its endurance and pressure.
Why It Stands Out
Littler’s performance transcended numbers. Facing Humphries’ 102 average and seven 180s, he maintained composure, with X posts calling it “the highest ever in a World Series final” (@Tungsten_Tales). His mental fortitude, bolstered by girlfriend Faith Millar amid his manager’s absence, mirrors the resilience of athletes like Alex de Minaur in the Davis Cup or Emma Raducanu battling injuries (mirror.co.uk). As Littler eyes the US Open Darts Masters, his 115.02 average cements his legacy as a generational talent, challenging darts’ greatest records.
