LITTLER COMPLETES WORLD SERIES DOUBLE SUCCESS

LUKE LITTLER says he felt ‘untouchable’ after smashing the record World Series final average to win the New Zealand Masters. 

Six-time major winner Littler averaged a remarkable 115.02 and hit seven 180s to beat big rival Luke Humphries 8-4 in the final. 

Teen sensation Littler clinched a double success Down Under after winning the Australian Masters crown last week.  

Littler produced a nine-darter during the first break in the match and revealed that was the moment he knew he couldn’t be stopped. 

He said: “It weren’t too bad it felt okay.   

“It was pretty much the same as last week where the first day I had a shaky start.   

“But once you come into the second night, I know I have to switch on which is what I did tonight.   

“When we came back on stage, I had hit a nine-darter.   

“That’s when I feel like no one can be beat me.   

“I knew the trebles were going in and the last two legs I think I hit five 140s on the bounce.   

“I felt that nine coming since I hit it in the practice obviously no one would’ve seen it but I am very happy.” 

The 18-year-old also hailed the crowd, comparing the atmosphere to some of darts’ biggest nights. 

He added: “I am sure this is better than Hamilton last year. The crowd and the venue it feels like a Premier League night with the tiers in the stadium and it’s packed.” 

Now on a hot streak of titles, Littler is eyeing more silverware on the European Tour. 

He revealed: “I am playing very well and on a little win streak now. Next up is Antwerp on the Euro Tour so hopefully I can keep this run going.  

“I’m playing very well; in the final I just felt untouchable everything was going in and even the doubles for a change they were very good. 

“But just the power scoring was there once again. It is a record-breaking average, I am very happy and glad to go home as back-to-back champion.” 

Littler reeled in consecutive 14-darters to take a 3-0 lead but then missed five darts at double in the next two legs which allowed Humphries to reduce the deficit to 3-2 at the Spark Arena. 

‘The Nuke’ smashed in an 83 checkout to extend the advantage to 4-2 in Auckland. 

World No.2 Littler came agonisingly close to perfection, missing treble 17 after seven flawless darts, before sealing an 11-darter with a 56 checkout to move 6-2 ahead.  

Littler held his nerve in the bout after firing in an 81 finish to secure a fourth-straight triumph against the world No. 1. 

Warrington thrower Littler averaged a stellar 100.43 and took out a cracking 170 checkout to defeat Mike De Decker 6-2 in the quarter-final.  

Littler averaged a cracking 108.81 and thumped in five maximums to dispatch Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the semi-final.