LITTLER SURVIVES DOETS SCARE IN MINEHEAD
07/03/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
By Phil Lanning
SLUGGISH Luke Littler admits “getting up” early nearly cost him his UK Open back-to-back title bid.
The world champion was nowhere near his best but ground out a 10-8 win over Kevin Doets in Minehead.
Littler, 19, came from 2-0 down against ‘Hawkeye’ and needed a spectacular 160 finish to get back into the match after a slow start.
He admitted: “I wouldn’t say nervy. These afternoon sessions, it’s tough getting up.
“I got the job done but Kevin played far better than me. But they are the games you like to get through.
“You’ve not played your best but you are into the next round.
“I’m not up early. I think I came to the venue at 1pm as soon as it started.
“I got past Kevin there somehow. You’ve seen the emotion, I had to give a little bit just to try and get myself pumped.
“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.”
After trailing 2-0, Littler came back to lead 3-2 and stayed in front through but Doets was the better player, just lacking in finishing.
