110.88 average after three matches: Luke Littler on course to obliterate Phil Taylor's World Matchplay record

Luke Littler is currently enjoying one of the best World Matchplay campaigns ever witnessed. The reigning champion is on course to not only break, but completely obliterate the current highest ever tournament average set by Phil Taylor in 2010. That sat at 106.30 with Littler on 110.88 following his quarter-final win over Josh Rock.

'The Nuke' simply cannot be stopped in this current period of time. He has left his opponents with little chance of taking glory while producing some mesmerising darts. His first leg in the second round against Nathan Aspinall was the most talked about, pinning the nine-darter enroute to victory. He will take on Dirk van Duijvenbode in the semi-finals with the chance to defend the Matchplay title at the Winter Gardens firmly on.

It will come to no surprise that Taylor has the record. 'The Power' won 16 World Matchplay titles from 17 finals reached in Blackpool. That record showcased the dominance he had in his pomp, something darts fans may be now witnessing with the 19-year-old sensation that is Littler.

The cream of the crop was the 2010 success where he was a level above the rest. He began by averaging a mind boggling 114.99 against a hapless Barry Bates in s comfortable 10-6 win. Steve Beaton did not fare any better as Taylor ploughed on with a 13-4 win and a 104.60 average to go with it.

Not normally you average 103.31 and it is the lowest of the tournament, but that was the level Taylor was producing in that moment in time. Kevin Painter managed just four legs in a 16-4 defeat, the same Simon Whitlock could do as he succumbed 17-4 with Taylor averaging 103.46.

The final was a classic between two old foes. Raymond van Barneveld was the last hope to stop this utter dominance from the Englishman, and he tried his best but the inevitable would occur when Taylor won 18-12. His 105.16 average in the final left him on a finished tournament average of 106.30, that has never been beaten.

It is fair to say that record may not stand past Sunday evening if Littler continues not only winning, but producing the darts he has done.

Similar to Taylor, Littler also won his first match 10-6, this time versus Niko Springer with a 109.53 average. This was bumped up an astonishing four points against Aspinall. That perfect leg to kick proceedings off was almost followed by another in the fourth leg, wiring double 15. He was pushed by the dogged 'Asp' but expertly fended him off 11-8. The average ended up being 113.68.

He did not stay at those extortionate levels against Josh Rock, but he did up the gears throughout and ended up taking down the Northern Irishman for the second year running in this tournament 16-7.

The 109.57 average was his second highest of the 2026 event. After three matches, the two-time world champion is more than four and a half points clear of Taylor with 110.88.

This feat should not go unnoticed thanks to the length of the matches. As the legs increase into the latter stages, it will be harder to keep up those levels of arrows, but if anyone is going to consistently chuck in four and five visit legs, Littler is the one.

Van Duijvenbode has his work cut out in Saturday's semi-final while one of Gerwyn Price, Ross Smith, Gian van Veen or James Wade could face Littler in Sunday's final if the 2025 winner is able to safely navigate himself past the improving Dutchman.