LITTLER HAPPY TO PROVE DOUBTERS WRONG
26/01/2024 By Phil Lanning
LUKE LITTLER admits he is happy to keep proving the social media doubters wrong.
The Warrington wonderkid comfortably beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 in his Toto Dutch Masters opening clash in Den Bosch.
Littler, 17, was not at his explosive best but still rounded off a solid display with a cracking 150 finish.
He said: “I’m happy with the way I played and happy with my scoring and my finishing.
“To be fair in practice nothing was going. But when I get on stage I always feel like I throw well.
“I’m just happy with another win. Being introduced as a TV winner meant the world to me.
“I’d seen loads of people before Bahrain say it was a once in a million and I go and win it so I proved them wrong.
“I know deep down what I’ve done but I just have to get on with the next tournament.
“I don’t really look on social media but when I do it’s things like that.
“It’s just all happened in a short space of time. I didn’t think I’d get to the world final and win my first world series. But I just take it as it goes.
“It’s what every player signs up for, a busy schedule and always travelling. I signed up for it because I was to do it.”
Littler actually cupped his ears on the walk-on as the crowd jeered his appearance. He added: “They were booing me, proved them wrong again!”
Earlier in the week he had visited Manchester United stars at their Carrington training ground and beating Harry Maguire in a nine-dart challenge.
He said: “Going to Manchester United was unbelievable to meet all the superstars and my idols. My favourite player is Alejandro Garnacho.”
It was largely Dutch domination apart from Littler, Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries taking easy wins.
2024 TOTO Dutch Darts Masters
Friday January 26
First Round
Danny Noppert 6-2 Nathan Aspinall
Kevin Doets 6-2 Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Gian van Veen 6-3 Michael Smith
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Rob Cross
Luke Littler 6-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Humphries 6-0 Jermaine Wattimena
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Vincent van der Voort
Images by Taylor Lanning.
