DARTBREAK
Agony for brilliant Luke Littler as teen sensation is beaten by Luke Humphries in world darts final aged just 16
Luke Humphries justified his No1 ranking as he ended brave teen Littler's trophy hunt
LUKE LITTLER’S great underdog story did not have a fairytale finish — because Luke Humphries’ name is the one now engraved on the Sid Waddell Trophy.
Millions around the globe tuned in last night to see if the 16-year-old kebab- eating rookie — a 150-1 pre-tournament outsider — could reach the gates of darting heaven.
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His epic run to this final had captivated the imagination of the sporting public and turned him into a global celebrity.
But in the end, in front of Tottenham playmaker James Maddison and Romeo Beckham, becoming the world darts champion on his debut simply proved a step too far.
And ‘Cool Hand Luke’ Humphries produced the type of steely, solid and workmanlike display in his 7-4 victory that demonstrates why he deserves to wear the tag of world No 1.
This was the darts equivalent of shooting Bambi’s mum — but with three darts in hand.
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Littler can walk away from this tournament with his head held high, having knocked out former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross.
His Ally Pally displays, particularly the four 100-plus averages, deserve immense credit and applause given his inexperience at the highest level.
OK, so he did not get over the line, but Littler — who is £200,000 richer for his exploits — will return here in 12 months as a genuine contender once more.
His life has changed forever and it will be a long time before he is able to walk down the streets without being noticed.
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Having left secondary school six months ago, he can begin life now as a pro darts player — and enjoy the benefits of playing week in, week out in the Premier League.
Brits love a true underdog story and Luke The Nuke could have produced the greatest one we have ever witnessed.
Perhaps even greater than Leicester City’s Premier League triumph, Buster Douglas shocking Mike Tyson in the boxing ring or Boris Becker triumphing at Wimbledon at the age of 17.
For now, the tag of youngest world champ on the PDC circuit belongs to Michael van Gerwen at 24 — but that may not last long with this kid in the mix.
The Lukes of Hazard had met before across the oche and that, amazingly, was in a local pub competition when there was £250 at stake.
It was the Hayling Island Open in Hampshire in November 2019 and Humphries, then 24, prevailed by a single leg against his “scarily good” 12-year-old opponent.
This time there was a mammoth cheque for £500,000 on the line but, perhaps more than that, a chance to join the immortals at the top table.
Fuelled by omelettes and pizza, Littler had the throw in the first set but there was no explosive charge out of the blocks like we had seen in five of his previous six games.
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The qualifier was comfortably broken in four legs by Humphries, who missed eight attempts at the doubles before taking the initial lead.
Newbury-born Humphries could have gone 2-0 up in sets but, after missing double tops, his young foe won the next THREE legs to level up, thanks to remarkable 142 and 120 finishes.
This was turning into a brutal contest and, after Humphries came from two legs down to claim set three, the New Kid on the Kebab Block took set four.
The Holy Grail of the sport was within throwing distance of the oche and the duo occasionally glanced at it.
Littler, who celebrates his 17th birthday later this month, took the lead in sets for the first time as he bossed set five with a 105.48 average.
This was becoming a survival of the slingers and the No 3 seed would have queried his luck as he removed one of his arrows out of the treble-20 bed with an unfortunate bounce-out in the sixth set.
Littler, who produced a nasty 12-dart 122 in seven set, had darts at double two to move 5-2 ahead in a race to seven sets.
Yet those squandered shots were ruthlessly punished by Humphries, shortly after his wondrous Big Fish 170 takeout.
More punishment was handed out in set eight as Humphries’ 121 on the bull drew them level again at 4-4. Cool Hand Luke came into this final on the back of a 18-game winning streak.
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He was not going to be a pushover and two rib-kicking 108s on the trot helped him to take control the ninth set.
Though Littler had the crowd on their feet with his own 170 checkout, Humphries showed his mettle to move 6-4 ahead.
Ref Russ Bray, who retired from main-stage officiating after the game, consoled Littler, whose head was in a scramble.
And Humphries claimed the biggest double of his life, on double eight.
Humphries, 28, almost never made it this far given he survived two match darts in the last-16 classic with Joe Cullen.
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But the Berkshire-born battler will return home to his partner and children knowing his life, just like Littler’s, will never be the same again.
For the crestfallen Littler, don’t Luke back in anger.
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