Luke Littler has become the first man through to the final of the 2024 Premier League Darts at a packed out O2 Arena in London. Averaging a touch over 100, Littler was far too good for Michael Smith, winning 10-5.
17 years old and playing in front of a record crowd in his first Premier League Darts playoff, would there be any nerves for Littler? No chance! The Nuke came racing out of the blocks, taking the opening leg with a 68 checkout. Although Smith levelled straight back up in the second leg, the teen sensation with at the peak of his powers moving clear again with a 144 finish in leg 3 and then seven perfect darts in leg 4.
As the duo returned holds of throw in the subsequent three legs, the eighth leg saw the first bit of scrappy darts from the pair. With the score 5-2 in Littler's favour, both players missed multiple darts for the leg. In the end though it was the table topper Littler who took it, breaking throw again and powering 6-2 ahead. After another missed dart from Smith was punished in the next leg Littler stretched 5 clear. In the final leg before the break however, it was the teen who saw his misses punished with Smith keeping himself somewhat alive and heading off stage 7-3 down.
Two more darts at double then came and went for Littler as they returned to the stage and when Smith made no mistake on tops, Bullyboy had another leg back at 7-4. Stopping the mini rot it its tracks though, Littler bounced back strongly in leg 12 and helped by his fourth maximum of the contest in the following, he moved within one of victory. After Smith got one leg back, Littler threatened sealing victory with a big fish. Even though that didn't go, the Nuke returned to nail double 4 and reach the final.
How much prize money is to be won?
The ultimate winner gets to lift the trophy, of course, but even more important is the accompanying check. For the title holder, a lucrative reward lies ahead.
The four semifinalists are already guaranteed 85,000 pounds in prize money anyway. That amount is transferred to the two players who lose in the semifinals. Upon winning the semifinals, the proceeds already rise to at least £125,000. For the eventual winner of Premier League Darts, a check for 275,000 pounds then awaits.
Place comments
0 Comments
You are currently seeing only the comments you are notified about, if you want to see all comments from this post, click the button below.
Show all comments