"Try to get some more sleep — us players don’t have it easy!": Naps over celebrations for jet-lagged Luke Littler in winning Australian Darts Masters
PDC
Luke Littler added another milestone to his rapidly growing list of achievements on the World Series stage, claiming the Australian Darts Masters title with a commanding performance in Wollongong. He defeated Mike de Decker 8-4 in the final.
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The 18-year-old, fresh from his spectacular World Matchplay triumph, admitted this latest victory was “another one to tick off” as he reflected on a night where everything clicked. Albeit he remarked previously after his first round that he was unlikely to return in 2026 if he won the title. With most of the big names not present this week in Wollongong e.g Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall and even James Wade who was invited but decided against it due to a family holiday, it meant Littler and Humphries as such flew the flag. But also saw the exciting additions of Mike de Decker and Josh Rock.
De Decker in particular faced up to some criticism surrounding his inclusion due to his scathing criticism of the PDC and the World Series after his World Grand Prix triumph did not lead to Premier League. He was invited for the Dutch Darts Masters but said he'd rather play in somewhere more exotic like Australia. He got his wish and got to the final on debut. But he faced a Littler who saw off Damon Heta, Stephen Bunting and finally De Decker on finals day.
Often too these players have a scare along the way, that was Haupai Puha on the opening day and it was very much another one to tick off for 'The Nuke' as he heads now onto Auckland and as he admitted himself straight to sleep. He has mooted this week that jet lag has been a real problem.
“Yeah, it feels very good. It’s another one that I can tick off. I played very well tonight. I didn’t play so well last night, but tonight’s really mad,” Littler said. After a below-par showing in the previous round, Littler revealed that the dip in form helped sharpen his focus for the final session. “Yeah, it definitely felt very good. I knew that if I won the first game it’d be a very long night, but for myself I’m very happy.”
In the final, Littler overcame Belgian debutant Mike De Decker, who impressed on his World Series bow but was unable to halt the teenager’s charge. “Yeah, Mike’s had a good run. Obviously, he’ll go over to New Zealand as well. It wasn’t the best debut for himself — I was in his way — but I’m sure he’ll bounce back.”
Littler erases poor World Series start
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The victory was particularly satisfying for Littler after a mixed start to his 2025 World Series campaign, with previous runs only reaching the quarter-finals and semi-finals. “Yeah, obviously it’s not gone to plan this year in the World Series, but there are plenty of opportunities to win, and I’ve finally picked one up tonight.”
With back-to-back titles now under his belt, Littler’s attention turns to next week’s New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland. A keen gamer and proponent of the new social media generation, it won't be straight onto the games console but instead sleep. He said though that he's looking forward to a few days off to recharge. “Yeah, I can’t wait. We’ll have a good few days off and try to get some more sleep — us players don’t have it easy! But yeah, over to New Zealand we go.”
The PDC's best return next week in Auckland as the New Zealand Darts Masters starts next Friday with the second of two World Series tournaments. After that the big names won't play until the Flanders Darts Trophy with a free week after Auckland then onto a busy end to the season. For Littler and also for De Decker being sharp and in the business end certainly helps that.
| Luke Littler | VS | Mike De Decker |
|---|---|---|
| 99.1 | Average (3 Darts) | 89.74 |
| 6 | 100+ Thrown | 11 |
| 12 | 140+ Thrown | 4 |
| 5 | 180 Thrown | 1 |
| 143 | Highest Checkout | 57 |
| 1 | Checkout 100+ | 0 |
| 42.1 | Checkout percentage | 57.1 |
| 8 / 19 | Checkout | 4 / 7 |
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
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