Luke Littler made history last Thursday night by winning the Premier League Darts at the age of 17. With this victory, the young Englishman immediately credited a pretty penny to his account: no less than 315,000 pounds in total!
Littler already impressed by immediately finishing atop the regular standings in his debut year in the Premier League, qualifying for the final night. The youngster showed he belonged here by beating Michael Smith 11-5 in the semifinals to reach the final. In the final he faced Luke Humphries, whom he lost to in the final of the last World Cup. With a score of 5-5, the two went into the break, after which "The Nuke" shifted up a gear. Littler threw a 9-darter and eventually won the final by 11-7, making him the youngest ever Premier League winner.
About his 9-darter, Littler said the following in conversation with Viaplay: "When we had a break at 5-5, it came as a relief. I had to go to the bathroom. When I got back on stage after that, I told myself it had to happen now. The fact that I threw a nine-darter right away gave me the confidence to go on and win."
With this victory, Littler earned a total of 315,000 pounds (275,000 for the win and 40,000 bonus for his four evening wins). A huge sum for a boy only 17 years old, and he realizes that all too well. "It's a lot of money," Littler responded afterwards, laughing in conversation with Viaplay. "I'm going to take a look at what I'm going to do with it. At least spoil myself"
With this, the youngster doubles his total money earned in one fell swoop. Littler is currently in 25th place on the PDC Order of Merit with a total of 303,500 pounds. Despite this victory, however, he will not move up the rankings, as the Premier League Darts does not count toward the Order of Merit. But what will the youngster do with this sum? First of all, he will go to the FA Cup final next Sunday to cheer on Manchester United in the match against their century-old rival Manchester City. After the game, "The Nuke" will travel to New York for a World Series tournament, after which he can enjoy a few well-deserved vacation days. "I'm off for a week after New York and then I'm going to enjoy myself. With my family and girlfriend to Orlando. Also to Disney World."
With his victory in Premier League Darts, Luke Littler also became the youngest ever winner of a major at the PDC. In doing so, he broke the record of Michael van Gerwen, who won the World Grand Prix in 2012 at the age of 23 years, 5 months and 21 days.
However, this year's other three finalists don't have to complain about their prize money either. Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen, who both lost in the semifinals, will receive £105,000 and £125,000, respectively. Losing finalist Luke Humphries has earned a total of 165,000 pounds during this Premier League.
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