Luke Littler Beats Luke Humphries: NZ Masters Darts 2024

Luke littler Claims New zealand Masters title, Completes World Series Double

A dominant performance from teenage darts sensation Luke Littler culminated in an 8-4 victory over defending champion Luke Humphries at the New Zealand Masters in Auckland, securing a remarkable World Series double following his triumph in Australia last week. The win further solidifies Littler’s meteoric rise in the sport and establishes him as a formidable force against the world’s top players.

Littler’s path too the final was marked by decisive victories, dispatching Mike de Decker 6-2 and Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the quarter- and semi-finals respectively on Saturday. These wins set the stage for a highly anticipated rematch with Humphries, a contest Littler ultimately controlled with notable composure.

Early Lead and Resilient Finish

The 18-year-old Englishman initially surged ahead, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead against Humphries. While the world number one mounted a brief comeback to narrow the gap to 3-2, Littler responded emphatically, reeling off another three consecutive legs to extend his advantage to 6-3. He than closed out the match with a final score of 8-4, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.

“I felt untouchable tonight,” Littler stated after the match. “It couldn’t have gone any better – the scoring, the doubles and then in the final I just felt untouchable.”

Did you know? – Luke Littler,at 16,became the youngest player to reach the World Darts Championship final in January 2024,captivating audiences worldwide with his skill and composure.

Record-Breaking performance

Littler’s victory was not only decisive but also statistically significant. He recorded an average of 115.02 throughout the final, marking the highest average ever achieved in a World Series event final. This remarkable performance underscores his exceptional talent and consistency.

This win represents the fourth consecutive success for Littler against Humphries, shifting the balance of power in their head-to-head record to eight wins for Littler against seven for Humphries. “I was really good tonight and he [Humphries] couldn’t do much,” Littler added. He also expressed a degree of self-criticism, noting, “I was disappointed going in 4-2 because it could have been 5-1 or 6-0.”

Pro tip: – Darts players often focus on “doubles” to finish legs quickly. Hitting a double score (e.g., double 20) is required to end a leg and win.

Eyes on the Future

Looking ahead, Littler remains focused on continued success. “I just want to win everything that comes my way,” he declared. His next challenge is the European Tour event in Antwerp, where he hopes to extend his winning streak to four consecutive titles.

Reader question: – What do you think is the key to Luke Littler’s rapid success? Share your thoughts on his composure and skill.

Why: Luke Littler won the New Zealand Masters,completing a World Series double after also winning in Australia.
Who: Luke Littler defeated Luke Humphries in the final.
What: The New Zealand Masters darts tournament.How: littler won 8-4, displaying a dominant performance and setting a record for the highest average in a World Series final (115.02).He established an early lead, weathered a brief comeback from Humphries, and ultimately closed out the match with composure.