Luke Littler hits PDC World Championship record set average of 140 in win over Ryan Meikle

5 hours ago

Photo credit: PA Media

Littler has jumped from 164th place to fourth in the rankings within just one year.

Luke Littler - Figure 1 — Photo BBC Sport

Lead Sports Reporter at BBC Sport

An emotional Luke Littler achieved a tournament record average of 140.91 as he launched his quest for the PDC World Championship title, securing a thrilling 3-1 victory against Ryan Meikle.

The 17-year-old captured global attention in January when he advanced to the final of the tournament, though he ultimately fell to Luke Humphries.

Kicking off the campaign on Saturday, Littler came incredibly close to achieving a nine-darter, but missed the double 12, ultimately dominating Meikle in the fourth and last set of their second-round match.

Littler was filled with emotion as it came to a close, shortening his interview on stage.

"It was likely the hardest match I've ever participated in. I had to struggle right up to the final moments," he remarked during a press conference afterward.

Once the question was posed, the emotions overflowed, and before I knew it, I was in tears. Talking in front of everyone became overwhelming.

"This is the most disappointing game I've ever experienced. I've never felt anything quite like this evening."

Acknowledging his anxiety during the game, he shared with Sky Sports, "I think it was the most nervous I've ever felt. I was okay before it started, but as soon as the referee, George Noble, called for the game to begin, I struggled to make my throws."

Littler began the match cautiously against Meikle, who had two opportunities to win the first set. However, Littler managed to gain the upper hand by hitting double 20 twice.

Meikle didn’t seem intimidated by his English opponent and managed to equal the score. However, Littler took the third set and then came alive in the fourth.

The top contender in the tournament scored four maximum 180s and secured three consecutive legs with impressive darts of 11, 10, and 11, achieving a record average and an overall score of 100.85.

On Saturday night, two players were eliminated from the competition. Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld was defeated by Welshman Nick Kenny, and England's Ryan Joyce triumphed over Danny Noppert.

Australian Damon Heta also came close to achieving a nine-dart finish but just missed the double 12 while aiming to secure his victory in a 3-1 match against Connor Scutt.

Ninth seed Heta bounced back from losing a set against Scutt by hitting four checkouts of over 100. Both players had impressive performances, averaging more than 97 throughout the match.

Littler Triumphs In Their Comeback

Source of the image: PA Media

After winning against Meikle, Littler's parents embraced him warmly.

Littler made a comeback to Alexandra Palace, where he was greeted by a lively crowd of over 3,000 fans, and he put on an incredible performance in the fourth set.

He had the chance to achieve a nine-dart finish after his first two throws in each of the first two legs and finished the set in 32 darts, while the quickest possible finish would be 27 darts.

The young player is set to compete again after Christmas, facing either Ritchie Edhouse, the 29th seed and a European Championship winner, or Ian White. He is also projected to potentially face Humphries in the semi-finals.

Last year, Littler participated in the event with a ranking of 164. Now, he has climbed to the fourth spot globally, and if he makes it to the final again this time, he will move up to number two.

In his first year as a professional, he captured 10 championships, which featured both the Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts.

After making it to the World Championship final at the young age of 16 in his first attempt, Littler’s life has changed drastically, and interest in darts has surged.

According to Google, he ranked as the most popular athlete in online searches in the UK throughout 2024.

This Christmas, it is anticipated that over 100,000 kids will be unwrapping magnetic dartboards from Littler as gifts.

His influence has led to a significant increase in the number of junior academies, and it has also initiated strategies to grow the World Championship.

On Tuesday, Littler received the title of BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and finished second to athlete Keely Hodgkinson in the main category.

Kenny Eliminates Van Barneveld From Competition

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Nick Kenny is set to face reigning champion Luke Humphries in the third round following the Christmas break.

Barneveld suffered a surprising 3-1 defeat to Kenny, who is ranked 76th in the world. Kenny was emotional and in tears following his remarkable win.

Kenny, aged 32, is set to take on Humphries in the third round after triumphing over a Dutch opponent who has clinched the BDO world title four times and the PDC championship in 2007.

Ranked 32nd, Van Barneveld became the sixth player to be eliminated in the second round.

Noppert, the 13th seed and his fellow countryman, was unexpectedly defeated 2-1 by Joyce. Joyce will now go up against either Ryan Searle or Matt Campbell in the next round, and the victor of that matchup could potentially face Littler in the round of 16.

Fifteenth seed Chris Dobey secured his spot in the third round after defeating Alexander Merkx with a score of 3-1.

English player Dobey wrapped up an afternoon session that began with three matches ending in 3-0. Brendan Dolan from Northern Ireland defeated Lok Yin Lee, which earned him a spot to face three-time champion Michael van Gerwen after the Christmas holiday.

In the last two first-round games of the 2025 tournament, Rhys Griffin from Wales defeated Karel Sedlacek from the Czech Republic, and Asia's top player, Alexis Toylo, triumphed over Richard Veenstra.

Karel Sedlacek lost to Rhys Griffin with a score of 0-3.

Richard Veenstra faced off against Alexis Toylo, resulting in a score of 0-3 in favor of Toylo.

Brendan Dolan secured a victory over Lok Yin Lee with a score of 3-0.

Chris Dobey secured a 3-1 victory over Alexander Merkx.

Danny Noppert faced off against Ryan Joyce, resulting in a score of 1-3 in favor of Joyce.

Raymond van Barneveld lost to Nick Kenny with a score of 1-3.

Luke Littler defeated Ryan Meikle with a score of 3-1.

Damon Heta triumphed over Connor Scutt with a score of 3-1.

Ryan Searle vs. Matt Campbell

Dirk van Duijvenbode vs. Madars Razma

Joe Cullen versus Wessel Nijman

Ritchie Edhouse vs. Ian White