LITTLER REVEALS WORLD MATCHPLAY WILL SHAPE PROTOUR PLANS

LUKE LITTLER has revealed he'll only chase darts history if he retains the World Matchplay title next month.

World No1 Littler admits a successful defence in Blackpool would spark a bid to complete an unprecedented clean sweep of every televised major in 2026.

Littler, 19, has already won the World Championship, World Masters, UK Open, Premier League and World Cup this year.

Only the World Matchplay, World Series Finals, World Grand Prix, European Championship, Grand Slam and Players Championship Finals remain.

But the Warrington thrower is not currently qualified for Minehead after skipping the first 22 ProTour events of the season.

Littler has just 11 events left to secure his place at the Premier event and says his entire schedule depends on if he manages to keep hold of the Phil Taylor trophy.

He said: “We all have rivals and the year I have had winning all the titles. We are focused here at the moment but then we do go on to the Matchplay.

"If I do go back-to-back at the Matchplay then I've got to start thinking about winning every major, think about going to Pro Tours.

"If I win the Matchplay the Pro Tours are on, if I don't win the Matchplay then Pro Tours are cancelled for 2026.”

The Nuke booked his place in the quarter-finals of the US Darts Masters with a 6-4 victory over David Cameron at Madison Square Garden.

Littler was far from his brilliant best, averaging below 90 and struggling on the doubles during the opening stages.

But the teen sensation recovered to see off the Canadian and continue his bid for a first World Series crown in New York.

Littler admits he enjoys being able to walk around unnoticed in America but knows that will change if he keeps winning.

He continued: "Yeah it is good to walk around and not get recognised but if I do that is all down to myself, family and sponsors.

"I don't want to stop winning titles and I know if I do keep winning titles it is just going to get bigger and bigger.

"That is all good for myself because I want as many people to follow me as I can."

Words: Aaron Nijjar