Luke Littler wins astonishing World Grand Prix match as Gerwyn Price fumes on social media

 Luke Littler Triumphs in Astonishing World Grand Prix Quarterfinal as Gerwyn Price Fumes on Social Media

Luke Littler delivered a masterclass in resilience and showmanship, overcoming Gerwyn Price in a thrilling 3-2 sets victory (3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1) in the 2025 World Grand Prix quarterfinal on October 10 at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena. The 18-year-old world No. 2, defying Price’s pre-match mind games, sealed the match with a stunning 154 checkout and laughed off a comical ricochet miss by the Welshman, whose dart bounced back into his hand in the final set. Price, the 2020 champion, took to X immediately after the defeat, posting a salty meme captioned “Talk is cheap” that sparked accusations of sour grapes. Littler’s £25,000 win propels him into the semifinals against Luke Humphries, keeping his £120,000 title dream alive in the £600,000 double-in/double-out event.

The Match: Littler’s Comeback and Price’s Farce
The five-set epic was darts at its finest. Price, who had boasted to GB News he was “not scared of anybody” and aimed to “put Littler under pressure,” leveled the match at 2-2 with a 3-1 fourth set, hitting four 180s and a 140-finish to Littler’s six 180s and 101.23 average. Littler’s 154 checkout (T20, T18, D20) in Set 5, leg two, shifted momentum, but the defining moment came in the final leg. Price, needing 40 to force a sixth set, fired a dart at D20 that ricocheted off the wire and landed back in his hand—a “farcical” miss that had Littler bursting into laughter and the 3,000-strong crowd roaring.

Littler capitalized, breaking with a 100 checkout and sealing the match with a 121 on D18, posting a 75% double-in success rate (12/16) to Price’s 60%. “That ricochet? I couldn’t hold it in—pure comedy,” Littler told Sky Sports, grinning. “Gerwyn’s a warrior, but I took my chances.” Price, averaging 99.87, admitted: “Luke’s checkouts were unreal—that 154 killed me.”

Price’s Social Media Fume: “Talk Is Cheap”
Minutes after the loss, Price posted a meme on X featuring a smirking cartoon with the caption “Talk is cheap,” widely seen as a jab at Littler’s pre-match confidence and the pro-Littler crowd’s “Bunting mental!” chants. The post, viewed 200k times by 5:09 AM WAT on October 11, drew swift backlash: “Price fuming over a fair loss? Take the L, Iceman,” one fan wrote, amassing 35k likes under #PriceSalty. Price later tempered his tone on Instagram: “Cracking game, Luke—he’s the future. Board had other plans.” But the initial post fueled perceptions of bitterness, especially after his 2-1 head-to-head lead (now 3-3) evaporated.

Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle called the ricochet “the funniest finish since MvG’s phone call,” while Paul Nicholson noted: “Price’s mind games backfired—Littler’s composure is generational.” Fans on X erupted with #Littler154, one post declaring: “154 checkout and laughing at Price’s dart boomerang? Nuke’s a legend!” (60k likes).

Littler’s Redemption: Grand Prix Ghosts Buried
Littler’s deepest Grand Prix run buries first-round exits to Cross (2023) and van Gerwen (2024). Once wary of the double-start rule—“I didn’t like it,” he told the Daily Star—he’s now a master, hitting 70% double-ins vs. van Veen (105.58 average) and 100% vs. De Decker. The £25,000 boosts his PCOM to 48th (£61,500), easing Minehead risks post-ZXF split. “The trophy’s close,” Littler said, eyeing a fourth 2025 major.

Next Up: Humphries in the Semis
Littler faces world No. 1 Luke Humphries in Saturday’s semifinal, a rematch of their 2025 Worlds final (Littler won 7-4). Humphries, who beat Rob Cross 3-1, warned: “Luke’s on fire, but I’m ready for war.” The winner gets £40,000 and a final shot against Michael Smith or Jonny Clayton.

| Player | Average | 180s | Key Checkout | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|————–|———|
| Luke Littler | 101.23 | 6 | 154 (T20, T18, D20) | Winner (3-2 sets) |
| Gerwyn Price | 99.87 | 4 | 140; D20 ricochet miss | Loser (2-3 sets) |

Price’s fume is Littler’s fuel. With Humphries looming, the Nuke’s laughter—and 154—prove he’s rewriting darts’ script.