LITTLER EYES FIFTH STRAIGHT MAJOR

By Phil Lanning 

LUKE LITTLER is now on course for a FIFTH straight major title at the UK Open. 

The world champ dismantled Gary Anderson 10-5 to move into the quarter-finals in Minehead on Saturday night.

Littler, 19, has now not been beaten in a major TV event since James Wade KO’d him in the European Championship on October 25.

Since then he has won the Grand Slam, Players Championship, Worlds and Masters. 

Now he’s aiming to become only the fourth player to defend the UK Open crown, only previously achieved by Raymond van Barneveld, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. 

The Nuke faces three games on Sunday to write himself into the record books yet again. 

He wrapped it up with tops and is hell-bent on retaining his title, adding: “Same as the World Championship, the last person to go back-to-back was 10 years ago, the UK is the same with Michael van Gerwen.

“It’s obviously what I want to do. I want to go on and chase these records and be another player to go back-to-back.”

It was another slow start against Anderson. The Scot looked poised to take the opening two legs but Littler broke throw and then delivered a fabulous 117 finish as he won FIVE legs in succession to leave his rival reeling. 

Ando managed to stop the rot but but The Nuke was surprisingly in cruise control as he turned on the after-burners with 11, 13, 11 and 12 dart legs. 

Littler had Anderson so rattled that he even bust by scoring 168 when he had 168 remaining in the 12th leg.

Littler had been lack lustre in his afternoon win over Kevin Doets but he was back to his devastating best against the Flying Scotsman. 

He had earlier admitted that he doesn’t like the early starts. He said: “These afternoon sessions, it’s tough getting up.

“I got the job done. But they are the games you like to get through.

“You’ve not played your best but you are into the next round.”