Luke Littler produces historic masterclass and retains World Matchplay title with unprecedented numbers

Luke Littler completed one of the greatest tournament showings in darting history with an utterly ridiculous performance against Gerwyn Price to win the World Matchplay title. He won 18-9 while averaging 111.53 and re-writing the record books in the process.

The world number one entered the tournament as the huge favourite for glory, and throughout the week had proven time on time that he was the man to beat. Yet to average below 109 in wins over Niko Springer. Nathan Aspinall, Josh Rock and Dirk van Duijvenbode, that rich vein of form continued in some fashion against what was supposed to be his toughest opponent yet and one of the best players in the world.

Now the world number four, Price is one of the best players in the world yet was offered little to nothing on the oche as Littler raised the roof in formidable fashion.

Littler won the first session 4-1 following an incredible 167 checkout. He continued to wow the audience with a flurry of ton+ checkouts and four visit legs. Price could not get close with his opponent becoming a speck on the horizon.

The former world number one was feasting on scraps as Littler focused on the task at hand, ticking off the legs while constantly averaging over the 110 mark. After the fifth session, Littler needed just two more legs after a 148 checkout put him within touching distance. It did not take long to get the job done to be the first player to defend the title since Michael van Gerwen in 2016. His tournament average of 111.04 was the highest in this tournament as his journey in the sport goes from strength to strength.

Both players started on the front foot. With it first to 18 legs, a fast start was not a must but would have been welcoming for either player. Littler won the bull in the back room and got on the board with a comfortable hold. Price settled quickly, finding seven perfect darts to end the leg.

Littler retook the lead before producing something magnificent. ‘The Iceman’ missed tops for an eye-catching 145 outshot, and it proved to be pivotal as Littler found his first bullseye finish of the whole tournament with a 167 checkout. The world class arrows continued in the next leg with a 110 outshot followed by a loud roar by the 19-year-old who was on his way in this final, averaging 108.75. Surprisingly, that is less than Price who is up at 109.18 despite losing 4-1.

The perfect leg was teased two legs in a row by Littler, but he had to settle for a brace of consecutive 11-darters. The first one was another break, leaving Price a mountain to climb. It could have been more of a deficit if Littler had not wired the bull for another 167 outshot. Instead, Price took out 71 in two and reacted with a bit of passion and fire.

The gap was extended back to five as Littler found the double 20 bed twice. Price finished the second session in a leg he was in control of, pinning double four for a 76 checkout.

Back from the break and Littler was continuing to motor away. A 128 checkout on double 10 was instantly backed with a 127 on the bull. It was utterly ridiculous by ‘The Nuke’ who found another 11-darter to reach double digits in rapid time.

Littler took out the next legs in 11 and 12 darts. Eight of his legs he had won at this point have been done in four visits as he led 11-3. A rare blip allowed Price to steal a leg against the throw for the first time. He backed that up with another 16-darter as the Littler level lowered slightly as the Welshman pounced.

An 11-darter got the two-time world champion back on track before he took out 66 via treble 12 and double 15. He was doing what he wanted, and just north of that double 10 was called into action to move 14-5 to the good. Price again finished the session with a leg but was nowhere near the defending champion.

Littler broke his own 180 record at the World Matchplay to edge three from the title. A third consecutive break went the way of Price before an 11-darter on double 10 kept him in the hunt. Any hopes of a comeback were then instantly extinguished thanks to a sixth ton+ checkout by Littler, nailing double 20 for a 148.

Two more legs and Littler would win another major title. The 2022 finalist was not done yet, missing the bull for a 170 outshot. However, more missed doubles allowed Littler to throw for the match, finding the bull again to make more history in Blackpool.