LITTLER OPENS UP ON COMPOSURE AND MATURING ON THE OCHE

LUKE LITTLER admits he is now far more “composed” on the oche after coming under fire during a turbulent Premier League campaign.

The world No.1 became the first player to secure FIVE nightly victories this season after roaring back from 5-3 down to beat Luke Humphries 6-5 in the final at Aberdeen. 

The Nuke now sits top of the table, two points clear of Jonny Clayton, and has already sealed his place in the Play-Offs at The O2. 

Littler is now targeting a record-breaking seventh nightly win with three weeks of the regular season remaining. 

But the teen sensation has endured a rollercoaster few weeks after his heated clash with Gian van Veen in Manchester on Night Nine was followed by a record low average and heavy boos from the Brighton crowd. 

Littler insists he has moved on from the criticism and believes he is handling the pressure far better than earlier in his career. 

He said: “Brighton was not a good performance, but at least it wasn’t the worst average in PDC history. I think I’m definitely out of it and we’ve moved on. 

“I am playing some good stuff at the minute and I just have to carry on. I think I said last week that Rotterdam was the loudest crowd I’ve ever played in front of, and I got past it.

“I won a few games and lost in the final. But now we can just focus and look forward to the O2. 

“Early in my PDC career, I didn’t want to lose. No one likes losing. Obviously, I’d throw darts away. 

“But it all comes down to myself and my management. I can definitely say I’m composed, I’ve got better, and we just keep getting better and controlling myself. 

“I don’t think it matters who I do play in the O2. I think it will be interesting who does finish fourth now, with Luke getting a couple of points on the board. 

“I just have to keep going and chasing more records.” 

Littler returns to action tomorrow evening in Leeds and will face Michael van Gerwen.

Image by Taylor Lanning.