Luke Littler has set himself an unusual new goal after winning his first World Grand Prix title with victory over Luke Humphries.
Littler was knocked out in the first round in his maiden appearance in the competition last year, but was at his very best this time around.
‘The Nuke’ met a familiar foe in Sunday’s final, World No1 Humphries, but proved far too much as he stormed to a 6-1 victory to claim his seventh major title in just under two years as a professional.
Despite very little separating the players in terms of averages, it was Littler who raced into a four-set lead thanks to some clinical darts in last-leg deciders.
Humphries got one set on the board to bring the score back to 4-1, but the 2023 champion never got close to threatening a comeback as Littler reeled off the next two sets to claim victory and the £120,000 winners cheque.
Reflecting on his victory, Littler told Sky Sports: ‘Very happy to tick it off, it’s not the easiest tournament to win. This week has been so tough. Now I’ve picked the trophy up, this is one I can tick off and there’s not many left.
‘That’s what I’ve learned in the past from the Matchplay, I have got to perform the big out shots and the big scores when Luke does put me under pressure.
‘I think I played very well tonight. Luke was always behind me, I couldn’t step off the gas. I’m just very happy to win.’
Littler’s latest trophy closes the gap further between himself and Humphries at the top of the world rankings, with just over £70,000 in prize money now seperating the top two.
And with several big events like the European Championship and the Grand Slam of Darts on the horizon in the coming weeks and months, Littler sent a playful warning to the current No1.
‘It’s definitely not a lot of prize money, especially what we guys play for,’ he said. ‘Luke will know I’m behind his back now, I’m onto him.’
For now, however, Littler has a different goal in mind, with the 18-year-old revealing he plans to enter the World Youth Championships which kicks off on Monday.
Littler has previously won the tournament, open to all qualified players aged between 18-23, in 2023, but did not compete in the competition last year.
However, he now has his sights set on a second appearence in the final, which would be held later in the year at during the Players Championship Finals next.
‘I’ll go to the World Youths tomorrow and just have a bit of fun,’ he said. ‘I don’t think anyone is going to be my friend tomorrow but it’s 20 minutes up the road and I’ll try my best.’
Meanwhile, Humphries, who also finished runner-up in the Grand Prix in 2024, paid credit to Littler’s clinical early finishing, which ultimately left him with too much of a mountain to climb later on in the match.
‘It’s one of them games. It’s hard work. He’s so clinical,’ he said. ‘The first four sets, I missed darts to get in. Double 16 has been my friend for the last three years. Tonight, it wasn’t.
‘It’s very unfortunate. When I was 4-0 down, I just wanted to give the crowd something. I wasn’t playing for myself any more, I was playing for the crowd.
‘I felt like it had got away from me. It’s hard to take. It’s disappointing because I felt like I was going to give him a lot better game than I did, but he was clinical in the big legs. Fair play to him, he was really good.
‘Unfortunately, doubling in wasn’t very good tonight. I have to just get better, practice harder. If I don’t, he will just run away with everything. I have to dedicate everything to being a dart player and work even harder than I ever have. I want to match him.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.