LITTLER CLINCHES PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP 32

LUKE LITTLER picked up the Players Championship 32 crown after beating Dennie Olde Kalter 8-2 in the final. 

‘The Nuke’ secured his NINTH title of the year and the £15K top prize in Wigan. 

World No. 2 Littler also punched his ticket to the Players Championship Finals next month, clawing back from being over £2,500 shy of qualification at the start of the day. 

Littler was all smiles after landing yet another ProTour scalp in his stunning rise to the top. 

He said: “I’m very exhausted but happy to come away with the win. I am a bit angry that I finished with a 15-darter in the final but throughout I felt good. 

“I’ve done the World Grand Prix and the World Youth Championships in the last couple of days and now I can go and have a break. 

“At the start of the day you just have to get past those early stages.  

“When it goes down to the quarter-finals and semi-finals, that’s when it gets down to the nitty gritty. 

“But I am very happy with today. You have to believe in yourself, and I know I have the capability to come from behind and that is what I have done today. 

“I am learning as the days go on.”

Littler also hit out at critics who slammed him online for playing in the World Youth Championship earlier this week. 

He added: “It’s the same venue as what we professionals play. Obviously, the likes of Gian van Veen who is a tour card holder, Keane Barry also a tour card holder, but I am the one who gets it in the neck. 

“But I didn’t win so a lot of people were happy. I just thought I would come get used to playing first to five and first to six.

“That is what I have done today and yesterday.”

The reigning world champ was chuffed to prove the doubters wrong and seal his spot for Minehead. 

He continued: “That was at the back of mind, obviously I’m on social media and some people were saying I’m not going to make it.  

“There you go I’ve won it today and maybe I’ll play the last two.  

“I’ll see how I feel If I want to come up the road for a few quid.” 

Teen sensation Littler fired in a 12-darter and 152 checkout to go 2-1 ahead against Olde Kalter. 

Seven-times major winner Littler thumped in a 101 finish and 14-darter to extend the advantage to 4-2 at the Robin Park Tennis Centre. 

Olde Kalter claimed a leg back before Littler responded with another 101 outshout and 11-dart break of throw to gain a 6-2 lead. 

Littler fired in an 11-darter and held his nerve by coolly taking out 72 for the victory. 

Warrington thrower Littler smashed in three ton-plus finishes and a 10-dart leg on the way to defeating Adam Hunt 6-4 in the last 16. 

Littler averaged a stellar 100.64 to overcome Rhys Griffin 6-4 in the quarter-final. 

The 18-year-old pearled in a 164 outshot and averaged a phenomenal 109.50 to triumph 7-4 against Stephen Bunting in the semi-final.

Image by Taylor Lanning.