LITTLER HAILS HARD WORK AFTER CRUSHING WIN OVER SEARLE

LUKE LITTLER revealed he’s been putting in “hours and hours” on the practice board after crushing Ryan Searle in round one of the World Matchplay.  

World No.2 Littler averaged a whopping 108.92, smashed in five 180s, and nailed two ton-plus checkouts as he cruised to a 10-2 win over ‘Heavymetal’ in Blackpool. 

Five-times major winner Littler recorded his maiden victory at the Winter Gardens after suffering defeat to Michael van Gerwen last year on debut.  

Teen sensation Littler admits the hard graft behind closed doors paid off on the big stage. 

He said: “I was well up for tonight I just wanted to get that win and get that winning feeling. 

“I did it in some standard. I’m so glad and I can’t wait to come back.  

“The plan was just to get the job done. 

“I’ve been practicing so much.  

“I have not put much up on social media but at home I have just been putting the hours in, hours and hours so I am glad it has paid off.  

“All eyes are on me now so I will just take it game by game.  

“With the practicing I have done as much as I have since I have come on tour.  

“People know I don’t usually practice much but certainly for this I have been.” 

Littler admitted he’s been tweaking his setup on the doubles too — switching from double 10 to double 16 with deadly effect. 

He added: “I’m happy with the doubles. Obviously people are saying I’m swapping the double 10 for the double 16. 

“The way I have been practising, the double 10s weren’t going in, but the double 16s were. 

“And winning the World Championship by hitting double 16 is always in the back of my mind.” 

Warrington ace Littler is looking to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy in a bid to join the ‘Triple Crown’ exclusive club. 

Littler picked up a Premier League title back in 2024 and was named World Champion in 2025. 

Image by Taylor Lanning.