Luke Littler demolished Gerwyn Price 18-9 in Blackpool on Sunday to retain his World Matchplay crown, shattering records along the way. The 19-year-old world No1 posted a remarkable tournament average of 111.04, eclipsing a benchmark Phil Taylor had held for 16 years. He also hammered home 66 maximum 180s across the competition, establishing another new record.
Yet despite rewriting the history books, the teenager’s mind quickly turned to spending his winnings. “I’m looking at a new car, don’t know what to get yet,” Littler said. “I need some more brake horsepower, 170 is not enough!”
The two-time world champion is planning to upgrade from his current BMW 1 Series. His dominant victory also made him the first player ever to surpass £3 million in PDC prize money, banking £225,000 for Sunday’s triumph alone.
Perhaps most alarming for his competitors was the stark warning Littler delivered about his future trajectory. “I can still get better. I can get a lot better,” he declared.
Luke Littler swept Gerwyn Price aside to win the World Matchplay
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The teenager revealed he had been averaging as high as 120 at certain points during his matches throughout the tournament, though he was unable to sustain that level. “Through the matches I was up to 120 average at one point. I didn’t maintain it, but maybe in a few years’ time I will and finish a match averaging 120,” he said.
Littler acknowledged that even he had been taken aback by the quality of his own performances. “The way I’ve done it has definitely surprised myself, but that’s all down to the commitment I’ve got,” he explained.
“At the minute I’m playing some of my best stuff and I’ve just got to keep it there.”
One record that eluded Littler in Blackpool was Michael van Gerwen’s all-time highest televised average of 123.40, set against Michael Smith during the 2016 Premier League. The Nuke has that firmly in his sights.
“I remember sitting there watching it,” Littler said. “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.”
While he fell short of toppling that particular milestone, Littler was content with the records he did claim. “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,” he added.
Retaining the trophy, though, mattered above all else. “I wanted to win this trophy more than anything, to go back-to-back and put my name on that list.”
Littler’s £225,000 winner’s cheque pushed him past the £3 million mark on the PDC Order of Merit, a threshold no player had previously reached. He now sits a remarkable £2 million clear of world No2 Luke Humphries.
Luke Littler’s net worth has surpassed £3million after his latest victory
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His overall net worth is believed to be in the region of £5-6.5 million, bolstered by lucrative endorsement arrangements with BoohooMAN, Xbox and KP Nuts. His extended deal with Target Darts, which encompasses potential earnings, bonuses and a share of merchandise and equipment sales, is reportedly worth £20 million over a decade — the largest contract in the sport’s history.
“Target has believed in me from day one and I’m delighted that there are many more years to come,” Littler said.
Sunday’s victory also keeps alive the prospect of an unprecedented clean sweep of every televised title this season. He has already claimed the World Championship, Masters, UK Open, Premier League and World Cup.
Littler is convinced he is already operating at a level that rivals the sport’s all-time greats, including Taylor, Eric Bristow and Van Gerwen. “I’m a lot younger and the performances I’m putting in at this age are very good,” he said.
The Nuke produced a performance to remember in Blackpool | GETTY
“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.”
At just 19, he has already amassed fourteen televised major titles and is barely two and a half years into his professional career. His ambition remains undimmed.
“The main goal was to win every major at least once. I don’t know how many years I’ve got left in me,” he said.
“I’m still only two and a half years into my professional career, and we’re far from done.”
