“I don’t think the Bunting effect is going too well this tournament” – Luke Littler makes cheeky dig after statement Suljovic win

Luke Littler delivered his verdict on a dramatic night at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship with a smile that said plenty.

Moments after producing the most commanding performance of the tournament so far, Littler was asked about his growing popularity and the wider impact around the sport. His answer carried a playful edge.

“I don’t think the Bunting effect is going too well this tournament,” Littler said in his post-match press conference. “So yeah, maybe I’ve got the biggest fan base.”

It was a tongue in cheek line, but one that neatly framed the contrast of the session. Earlier in the evening, Stephen Bunting had exited the championship in a gripping seven set battle, becoming the highest seed to fall in the 2026 event. By the time Littler stepped off stage, he had not only progressed, but reset expectations entirely.

Littler closed the night with a ruthless 4–0 whitewash of Mensur Suljovic, dropping just three legs across the entire match and finishing with a tournament high 107.09 average. “It felt good,” he said. “I didn’t see the averages on the screen until after the second set. After the first set I had a look and I was on a 109. It dropped a couple of points, but overall I’m happy with the performance. I always say, when the doubles are at 71 per cent, I’m happy with that.”

From the opening exchanges, Littler imposed himself. He broke throw immediately and never allowed the contest to develop, controlling both pace and scoring throughout. Suljovic did not register a dart at double until the third set, by which point Littler had already surged into a commanding two set lead. “No matter how you win a game, you want to win it in style,” Littler said. “But just to get the win and progress is what matters.”

The scoreboard pressure was relentless. A 110 checkout underlined Littler’s intent early, while a 12 dart break of throw kept Suljovic pinned back. The pivotal moment arrived in the third set when the Austrian briefly threatened to gain a foothold. “What was crucial tonight was the 124 going 3–0 up,” Littler explained. “Once you give Mensur an opportunity, he takes it, so getting that even bigger lead was important.”

Even when Suljovic forced a decider in that set, Littler responded instantly. A maximum at 2–2 set up the finish and he closed it without hesitation. “I always tell myself just get the first set under your belt,” he said. “Once you’ve got that winning feeling, you can settle in.”

The fourth set followed the same pattern. Littler continued to score heavily, remained composed, and wrapped up the match without allowing the contest to drift. “I had no nerves at all tonight,” he said. “It felt like a free hit. I just let my darts do the talking.”

Littler was also asked about the tempo of the match, with Suljovic playing quicker than expected after his previous appearance. “I liked it,” Littler said. “Even when we threw for the bull in the back room, I was saying, ‘Keep this up.’ I tried to match him without rushing. I wasn’t rushing to the oche, I wasn’t rushing back. I drank a lot of water and settled in straight away.”

The world number one also spoke at length about momentum as the tournament moves into its longer format. “You can always build momentum yourself on stage,” he said. “Hitting a 180, hitting a ton plus, breaking your opponent and throwing first in that leg. As a player, you can always build it up and play better.”

That mindset was visible in his reaction to a key maximum during the third set, when Littler roared in response. “I’ve always got to perform my best,” he said. “If you hit a 180 at a crucial time, you’re always going to give it big. I was on 304. A 140, a 180, a 134 would’ve done, but to hit the 180 and set up the 124 was even more special.”

Despite the dominant scoreline, Littler was candid about his mental game and the areas he still believes can improve. “If I’m honest, mentally on stage I don’t think I’m really that good,” he admitted. “I can still lose my head a bit. I can get frustrated, throw a dart out of frustration. We all do. But I’m still 18 and I can work on it and build from it.”

Pressed on what triggers those moments, Littler did not hesitate. “Missing doubles, and someone giving it large when they hold throw,” he said. “Not saying who.”

He added that results help keep those frustrations in check. “If I’m winning three nils and four nils, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

Littler was also asked how he balances expectation at a tournament where he now arrives as defending champion and world number one. “I’ve been runner up and I’ve been a winner here,” he said. “I just go round by round. If I win, I win. If I lose, I lose. If I play well and lose, I won’t really be bothered.”

He stressed that preparation away from the stage has played a role. “The days off before my second round game were really crucial,” he said. “The Christmas break was important as well. Now we’re here and hopefully we can go all the way.”

Despite being the youngest player remaining in the draw, Littler acknowledged his growing experience. “I’ve got a good record here,” he said. “Runner up and a winner. I’ve won three games so far and now we move into the longer format.”

Asked whether he still feels like a teenager on and off the oche, Littler shrugged off the label. “Eighteen, nineteen, it’s just a number,” he said. “I’m enjoying it. The family’s enjoying it. As long as I’m playing my darts, I’m happy.”

With Rob Cross or Damon Heta waiting in the next round, Littler showed no sign of preference. “Bring on any of them,” he said.

On a night when the tournament lost one of its most popular figures, Littler ensured the focus swung firmly back to him. A playful dig at Bunting set the tone, but it was the darts, the numbers and the authority of his performance that left the strongest message as the championship moves into its decisive phase.