“Everyone is fallible” - Raymond van Barneveld sees pressure toll on Luke Littler as clean sweep dream dies in Amsterdam
PDCMonday, 21 September 2026 at 12:00
Luke Littler’s dream of completing a clean sweep of the major PDC titles in 2026 came to an abrupt end in Amsterdam on Sunday afternoon, as Jonny Clayton produced a superb 10-4 victory over the world number one in the quarter-finals of the World Series of Darts Finals.
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Littler had arrived at AFAS Live with every major staged so far this year already in his collection, but after surviving difficult tests against Danny Noppert and Nathan Aspinall earlier in the weekend, Clayton finally brought the run to a halt.
Watching on in a special guest punditry role on ITV was Raymond van Barneveld, who felt the weight of expectation surrounding Littler’s perfect season had begun to tell.
“It’s the pressure,” Van Barneveld said. “Everyone talks about: ‘Can Littler do the whole year and win all the big majors?’ It gives big pressure. He wants to perform. He’s the best player at the moment, but everyone is fallible. Everyone wants your scalp.”
Van Barneveld was a special guest pundit for the PDC in Amsterdam
Littler’s perfect major season comes to an end
The defeat was Littler’s first failure to win a major PDC title in 2026. His year had already brought victories at the World Championship, World Masters, UK Open, Premier League, World Cup of Darts and World Matchplay, putting him within touching distance of an unprecedented sweep of the season’s biggest televised events.
Amsterdam had already tested him before Clayton stepped onto the stage. Littler recovered from 3-1 down to beat Noppert 6-4 in the opening round, dealing with a hostile home crowd along the way, before being pushed to a deciding leg by Aspinall in the second round.
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Clayton offered no such escape. The Welshman took control of the quarter-final and never allowed Littler back into the contest, eventually completing a 10-4 victory to end the run and ensure the perfect season would go no further.
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Van Barneveld swaps darts for the ITV studio
For Van Barneveld, the weekend in Amsterdam was a very different one from normal. The five-time world champion had failed to qualify for the World Series Finals as a player, but remained involved at AFAS Live through a special guest punditry role on ITV.
Van Barneveld later reflected positively on the experience in a post on X. “Really enjoyed the last couple of days working with all the great people at Matchroom and ITV,” he wrote. “Thank you for everyone’s help and advice, I hope to be back again soon.”
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With Van Barneveld already back in action this week on the ProTour after missing out on qualification for Amsterdam, his next appearance is expected to come with darts in hand rather than a microphone.
Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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- Played great in the final. Makes a mockery of the event when he qualified by losing all of his tour matchesBandB21-09-2026
- He isn't,and won't be the last player to get whistled or booed at. The problem I noticed,is that he winds them up,and give him back,and he doesn't like it. If you can't take it,don't give itrick6720-09-2026
- I hope Phil doesn't return. Watching him the seniors was embarrassing,and he should bow out,and let everyone remember what a legend he is.rick6716-09-2026
- What a nice comment by Wade. Top bloke.BandB15-09-2026
- He wasn't "offered £501,000 to face Luke Littler". He was allowed to audition for the chance. That's not the same. Literally like saying I was offered a no.1 single, when actually I decided not to attend an open casting for the X factor.BandB13-09-2026
- I loved Jan and loved his walk on music "Explode" by Jordan & Baker. I think if he stuck around the BDO he definitely would have been World Champion, should have won in 2014, he never really showed any of his talent in the PDC. I remembered he worked in a bank or in finance and maybe that was his priority, he was also a fan and interested in magic. Definitely should have achieved much more in darts than he did. Wherever you are nowadays Jan, hope all is well and I was always a fan.richieburnettrocks11-09-2026
- Not much of a tournament really,is it? Now they've all pulled out,it's open for everyone. I'm sure if you bought tickets,you'd be disappointed. Doesn't that seem to bother the withdrawals? Not at all!!rick6710-09-2026
- Need to see her take part in the womens tour. She'll break the inernet.medinabello08-09-2026
- If he can be bothered? He won't play darts in Germany yet he'll go over and get an award!??rick6702-09-2026
- Why is this the main story? He chose not to compete in loads of tournaments,yes he's number 1 in the world,but he does have to turn up at tournaments! Play the next world championship in Dortmund and see if he turns up!!rick6727-08-2026
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