Luke Littler says he’s ready to upgrade both on and off the oche after making history at the World Matchplay — with a more powerful car now firmly on his shopping list.
The 19-year-old world No. 1 successfully defended his World Matchplay crown in spectacular fashion, thrashing Gerwyn Price 18-9 in the Blackpool final.
It was another record-breaking display from the two-time world champion, who shattered Phil Taylor’s 16-year tournament average record with a phenomenal 111.04 average. Littler also set a new World Matchplay record with 66 maximum 180s and became the first player in PDC history to surpass the £3 million mark on the Order of Merit.
Despite already rewriting the history books, Littler insists he’s only getting started — and joked that his current BMW 1 Series no longer matches his ambitions.
“I’m looking at a new car,” he said. “I don’t know what to get yet. I need some more brake horsepower — 170 isn’t enough!”
The teenage sensation believes he’s producing the finest darts of his career and is determined to maintain that level.
“At the minute I’m playing some of my best stuff and I’ve just got to keep it there,” Littler said.
“I’ve come away with the best outcome there is in any tournament, lifting the trophy.
“The way I’ve done it has definitely surprised myself, but that’s all down to the commitment I’ve got.
“I wanted to win this trophy more than anything, to go back-to-back and put my name on that list.”
Chasing Van Gerwen’s Greatest Record
Littler has already collected an extraordinary list of records, but one milestone still motivates him more than any other.
Michael van Gerwen’s incredible televised average of 123.40 against Michael Smith in the 2016 Premier League remains the highest ever recorded on TV — and Littler wants to beat it.
“I remember sitting there watching it,” Littler recalled.
“The way he did it was just incredible. He didn’t really miss a thing, and if he’d hit a few more, it could have been even higher.
“That’s definitely one of the records I want to break.
“I also wanted to break the match average here, but I’ll have to settle for the tournament average and the 180s record for now.”
Hunger Still Burning
Although Littler has already amassed 14 televised major titles, the teenager insists his appetite for success is stronger than ever.
This season alone, he has lifted the World Championship, Masters, UK Open, World Cup of Darts and World Matchplay titles, leaving him on course for an unprecedented clean sweep of every televised major in a single campaign.
Littler also believes his performances at such a young age compare favourably with some of the greatest names the sport has ever seen, including Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow and Michael van Gerwen.
“I’m a lot younger and the performances I’m putting in at this age are very good,” he said.
“Maybe in a few years’ time I’ll be playing at their level, but at the minute I think I’m maybe playing a little bit better. I’m just very happy.”
Despite already becoming a two-time world champion, Littler insists his long-term ambition remains unchanged.
“The main goal was to win every major at least once,” he added.
“I don’t know how many years I’ve got left in me.
“I’m still only two and a half years into my professional career, and we’re far from done.”
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