‘It’s the one I haven’t got yet’ – Luke Littler admits he is vulnerable in bid to win missing darts TV major

‘It’s the One I Haven’t Got Yet’ – Luke Littler Admits He Is Vulnerable in Bid to Win Missing Darts TV Major

Luke Littler has made a startling admission ahead of this week’s Winmau World Masters – conceding that the condensed format leaves him exposed in ways his dominant longer-form game does not.

The back-to-back world champion, who has steamrolled through opponents at Alexandra Palace with ruthless efficiency, acknowledged that shorter tournaments present a genuine threat to his seemingly unstoppable march toward collecting every major title in darts.

The Vulnerability Admission

When asked directly whether he feels more susceptible in shorter events compared to extended matches, Littler didn’t hesitate: “I’d say that.”

The 19-year-old world number one continued: “It’s a very quick format, but I’ll be ready for it. You’ve got to fly out the traps. But, we can only see what happens.”

The World Masters remains one of just three PDC TV majors still missing from Littler’s trophy cabinet, alongside the World Cup of Darts and European Championship – a remarkably short list for someone who turned professional just over two years ago.

The Format Challenge

The tournament’s distinctive structure poses unique challenges. Opening round matches are decided over best-of-five sets, with each set comprising merely three legs – a stark contrast to the marathon best-of-13 sets Littler navigated to retain his World Championship crown earlier this month.

“It’s the same as the World Series, same as the Premier League,” Littler explained, referencing other shorter formats where he has occasionally been caught cold.

The rapid-fire nature demands instant sharpness, with no time to find rhythm or recover from a slow start. One poor leg can cost a set. Three sets lost, and the tournament is over.

Breaking His Routine

In a departure from his famously relaxed approach – Littler once admitted he barely practices between tournaments – the teenager has been putting in dedicated sessions at home ahead of Milton Keynes.

“When I’m home, leading up to the Masters, that’s when I’ll practice,” Littler revealed. “I’ll definitely be practising because it’s a title that I’ve not picked up yet and I definitely want to go to Milton Keynes and I want to become the Winmau champion.”

The acknowledgment that extra preparation is needed speaks volumes about the respect Littler holds for the World Masters format and the genuine threat it poses to his dominance.

Last Year’s Heartbreak

Littler’s quest for the title comes twelve months after his campaign ended at the quarter-final stage, falling 4-2 to Jonny Clayton – who subsequently lost the final to Luke Humphries.

The defeat marked one of Littler’s few setbacks in an otherwise extraordinary 2025 campaign that saw him win six of seven TV-ranked majors following that January loss.

The teenager reflected positively on his early performances last year against Andy Baetens and James Wade before the Clayton defeat, but clearly the format caught him out when it mattered most.

“The format is what it is. That’s what we’ve got to get used to. But, I’ll be more than ready,” Littler said, his words carrying a hint of the determination that has driven his meteoric rise.

The Opening Round Trap

Littler’s first-round draw hasn’t done him any favors. He faces Mike De Decker, the 2024 World Grand Prix champion, on Friday evening at Arena MK – a player who has already shown he can trouble the world’s best.

De Decker lost a shock first-round match at the recent World Championship to Kenya’s David Munyua, but his quality is undeniable. More significantly, Littler famously hit a 170 checkout to defeat the Belgian at the World Grand Prix – evidence that their matches have been close affairs.

In the short format, one moment of brilliance from De Decker, or one lapse from Littler, could end the campaign before it truly begins.

The Hunger Remains

Despite his candid admission of vulnerability, Littler’s competitive fire burns as bright as ever. While stopping short of describing himself as “fired up,” the world champion made his intentions crystal clear.

“I wouldn’t say I’m fired up, but I’ll definitely, definitely be ready for it. It’s one that I haven’t got yet and definitely want it,” Littler stated.

“I’ll be going to Milton Keynes only for the second time now. It’s a tournament I want to win.”

The teenager immediately referenced the World Masters after his World Championship triumph earlier this month, telling reporters: “The next major is the World Masters at the end of January which I haven’t got yet. The other majors later on in the year, I’ll be hunting them down.”

The Completionist Drive

Littler’s quest to win every available major represents more than just trophy collecting – it’s about cementing his place among darts’ all-time greats before his 20th birthday.

He has already won: the World Championship (twice), UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship Finals. Add the Premier League and World Series victories, and his collection would make players twice his age jealous.

The World Masters stands as a glaring omission. The European Championship and World Cup of Darts will come later in the year, but Milton Keynes represents the first opportunity of 2026 to tick another major off the list.

The Pressure of Invincibility

Littler’s dominance in longer formats has created an aura of near-invincibility. His 7-1 demolition of Gian van Veen in the World Championship final – featuring a 106 average, 16 maximums, and relentless brilliance – left even his opponent admitting he expected more resistance.

But the World Masters won’t allow Littler the luxury of outlasting opponents over 13 sets. Here, intensity must be instant. Every leg matters. Every set is precious.

The format rewards explosive starts and punishes slow burners. For a player who sometimes takes a set or two to find top gear in longer matches, the compressed timeframe offers nowhere to hide.

What’s At Stake

The Winmau World Masters carries a £100,000 first prize and the prestige of being the first major of the PDC season proper – the World Series events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia notwithstanding.

For Littler, the financial reward pales in comparison to the title’s significance. This is about legacy, about proving he can dominate in every format darts has to offer.

Defending champion Luke Humphries stands in Littler’s path, alongside dangerous floaters like Michael van Gerwen (five-time Masters champion), World Championship finalist Van Veen, and Clayton – the man who ended Littler’s hopes last year.

The Verdict

Littler’s admission of vulnerability doesn’t make him the underdog – he remains the clear favorite for the title. But it does inject genuine intrigue into a tournament that might otherwise seem like a coronation ceremony.

The teenager’s self-awareness is refreshing. He knows the short format represents his achilles heel. He knows one bad session can end everything. And he knows that acknowledging weakness is the first step toward overcoming it.

“It’s one that I haven’t got yet and I definitely want it,” Littler repeated, his words simple but loaded with intent.

The World Masters begins Thursday with qualifying rounds, before Littler makes his entrance Friday evening. By Sunday night, we’ll know whether the teenage sensation has conquered his vulnerability and claimed another piece of darting history – or whether the condensed format has exposed the cracks in his otherwise impenetrable armor.

One thing is certain: Littler won’t go down without a fight. And given his track record of responding to setbacks with devastating runs of dominance, betting against him would be foolish – even if he himself admits he’s vulnerable.