Riyadh, February 22, 2024 — Luke Littner, just shy of his 19th birthday on Wednesday, delivered a stunning performance to claim victory at the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, defeating Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in a captivating final. The young darts sensation quickly established dominance, seizing control of the match with an impressive early lead.
Littler’s Rapid Ascent Continues in Saudi Arabia
The teenage darts prodigy secures his first title in the Kingdom, showcasing remarkable composure and skill.
- Luke Littler defeated Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in the final of the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters.
- Littler raced to a 4-0 lead, demonstrating exceptional form early in the match.
- The event marked the first World Series of Darts tournament held in Saudi Arabia.
- Littler averaged an impressive 104.84 during the match, surpassing van Gerwen’s 101.79.
Littler’s commanding start saw him surge ahead to a 4-0 advantage against the seasoned Dutchman. While van Gerwen battled back, narrowing the gap to 4-3 and later 5-4, he ultimately couldn’t overcome Littler’s relentless pressure and precision.
What is Luke Littler’s average during the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters final? Littler maintained an impressive average of 104.84 throughout the match, significantly higher than van Gerwen’s 101.79, and showcased a superior checkout rate of 61.5% compared to his opponent’s 45.5%.
“Obviously last week it didn’t work out in Bahrain but really glad to come over to Saudi Arabia for the first time and be the first winner,” Littler shared after the match. “Michael got back into it so I had to find my form again but I’m just really glad to win. As players coming over here, we didn’t know what to expect but there’s been a brilliant turnout.”
Van Gerwen, acknowledging Littler’s strong start, conceded, “Being 4-0 down at the beginning of the game didn’t really help me but I always keep fighting. Fair play to him [Littler]. He had a fantastic tournament. Sometimes you have to take it on the chin and move on.”
A $200,000 (£149,400) bonus was offered to any player who could achieve a nine-darter during the two-day event, but the feat remained elusive for all competitors. The tournament, held at the 1,000-capacity Global Theater in Riyadh, was a landmark event as the first World Series of Darts competition to take place in Saudi Arabia, a nation with strict regulations regarding alcohol consumption.
Earlier in the day, Nathan Aspinall, who was eliminated by van Gerwen in the semi-finals, voiced concerns about the crowd’s composition, stating they “weren’t all there of their own accord.” A spokesperson for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) responded, expressing delight at the strong interest in the Saudi event and clarifying that Aspinall’s comments reflected the novelty of hosting a darts tournament in the region. The spokesperson emphasized that all attendees were either ticket holders or guests, noting that the atmosphere and crowd demographics can differ from established events in the UK and Europe.
Saudi Arabia has been actively hosting major sporting events in recent years, including Formula 1 and golf, and is slated to host the FIFA men’s World Cup in 2034. However, the nation continues to face scrutiny regarding its human rights record and environmental impact.
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