"Is like what Drive to Survive did for Formula 1": Steve Lennon lauds Luke Littler despite sending him to Q-School

Steve Lennon found his way back onto the PDC ProTour at the first time of asking seeing off William Borland in the final on Day One of UK Q-School after averaging around the mid 90's all day in an impressive series.

Lennon was only at Q-School due to a certain 16-year-old snatching his Tour Card away as Luke Littler delighted the darting world and send 'Scuba Steve' into limbo. But he bounced back immediately.

"Really relieved to get through today. I didn't want to be here, but getting here and winning on the first day was obviously the dream," said Lennon post final.

"It was very stressful, this has taught me I need to change my mindset a bit as coming in here you feel a bit like you have to win this out to get your Tour Card so I had that mindset to beat everyone in front of me no matter what. It seemed to work so I need to bring that form onto the ProTour."

He also lauded the 16-year-old saying that he was devastated but given the way he played he can't have too many complaints.

"I was kind of devastated, but you also have to put your hands up and say he played some amazing darts. What he's doing for darts is like what Drive to Survive did for Formula 1. He's playing some serious stuff so you can't knock it."

Now though it is a clean slate and one that Lennon will relish as instead of hunting down big majors and holding his spot, he starts from nothing and can only rise.

"I'm coming into this not having to defend anything. Dropped off back to zero for Matchplay, World Grand Prix, but I think the fact I don't have to defend anything could mean a different mindset."