"It’s something that’s an opportunity for all of us players, but I would love to be the first" – Littler eyes £200,000 mega nine-dart bonus at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters

This Monday, 01/19 in Riyadh saw the inaugural edition of the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters get underway. The biggest names in international darts are gearing up for a new chapter in the Middle East, as the PDC lands in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

The tournament is being played on January 19 and 20 at the Global Theater, and all eyes are once again on the likes of Michael van Gerwen. The Dutchman is chasing a second consecutive World Series title after his victory at the Bahrain Darts Masters last week.

Van Gerwen, the most successful player ever in the World Series of Darts, started the new season in formidable fashion with a title in Bahrain. On his way to the trophy, the three-time world champion defeated, among others, Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, and Gian van Veen. In Riyadh, he opens against India’s Nitin Kumar in the first round.

“It felt amazing to win in Bahrain. It meant the world to me,” insisted Van Gerwen. "Wherever I go, I always want to win. I always give 100%.“I’ve had a tough couple of years, but you need to make sure you keep battling.

“This gives me confidence, and I think there’s more in the tank. As long as I keep believing in my own ability and performances, anything is possible.”

Van Veen also impressed in Bahrain. The new Dutch number one reached two finals within two weeks and travels to Saudi Arabia full of confidence. In the opening round he faces Japan’s Motomu Sakai. If he wins, a quarterfinal against Luke Littler could follow, a repeat of the World Championship final in January.

“I can’t be too upset with reaching two finals in a couple of weeks,” reflected Van Veen. “This is something to build on, and I had a fantastic tournament in Bahrain.“I’m here to win. That is the goal. I didn’t succeed last week, but now I’m looking forward to this tournament.”

Littler himself opens the tournament on Monday against 71-year-old darts legend Paul Lim, just as he did last week in Bahrain. Back then, the reigning world champion won convincingly 6-1. In Riyadh, he is chasing not only sporting success but also history.

During the tournament, a $100,000 bonus is on offer for any player who hits a nine-darter. With the introduction of the ‘Riyadh Season Bullseye’, that figure could even rise to $200,000: after a perfect leg, the player gets one dart at the bullseye to double the prize. Never before has so much money been on the line for a single nine-darter at the PDC.

“I’d love to do it. Obviously, it’s something that’s an opportunity for all of us players, but I would love to be the first one to do it,” admitted Littler. "It’s going to be very interesting, and it’s an opportunity for us players to visit a different country, and just experience it all.

“Riyahd is massive for the boxing, so hopefully we can go over there and make darts big over there.”