Bomb squad
‘Is he doing that to rub Van Gerwen’s nose in it?’ – Sky Sports commentator questions Littler after surprise checkout
Fans had their say on the shock checkout
LUKE LITTLER's unusual checkout route was questioned by Sky Sports commentators.
Following an emphatic early start to the World Darts Championship final, Littler found himself 3-0 ahead in sets.
3
3
However, in the first leg of the fourth set of the match, Littler took an unusual route to checkout.
The Nuke needed 70 to win the leg.
And to do so, Littler went for the bullseye before hitting a double 10.
Seeing this strange pathway, Sky commentator John Part said: "What a slap that is in the face of Michael van Gerwen?"
READ MORE IN DARTS
Co-commentator Dan Dawson then said: "Is he rubbing Van Gerwen's nose in it?"
Fans on social media were also quick to notice the unorthodox path Littler had taken.
One viewer said: "Littler taking the p*** with that 70 checkout."
A second said: "That 70 checkout from Littler is phenomenal."
Most read in Darts
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
A third said: "That jimmy-rustling 70 checkout, Littler has him on toast."
Littler, 17, went on to win the fourth set 3-1.
Darts fans get hidden look behind the scenes as Sky Sports show rarely-seen moment before World Darts Championship final
And entering the fifth set, Part added: "It's almost like a cat toying with a mouse. This is cruel stuff."
However, three-time champion Van Gerwen pulled back the fifth set to make it 4-1.
But Littler then responded by restoring his four-set cushion after going to the wire in set six.
Van Gerwen hit back again to win two more sets and sandwich one Littler set to make it 6-3.
Littler closed in on the trophy that eluded him last year by winning two legs in a row before hitting a double 16 to close out the game and be named world champion for the first time.
He told Sky after breaking down in tears: "I can't believe it. Honestly. I can't believe it.
"We both played so well. I knew I needed to get off to a great start, and that's what I did.
"Michael was right behind me the whole game.
"Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. So it really is a dream come true."
Littler hit 25 out of 45 on the doubles, an impressive 55 per cent.
He continued: "I was practising backstage on the tops and 10s (D10).
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"At 2-0 up I started getting nervous but I said to myself 'just relax'.
"I was throwing for the match but to get it over and done with was special."
3
World Darts Championship - top stories
READ MORE on all the fall-out from Luke Littler's incredible world title win...
- All the happens in our LIVE BLOG
- Littler blows away Van Gerwen to win world title aged 17
- Littler is more than a darts player - he's a multi-million pound commodity
- Incredible rise in darts viewing figures revealed
- Littler miles off being world No 1 despite £500k win
- Littler breaks incredible record with stunning win
- Fans praise Sky Sports for 'lovely' Donna Mardle touch
- Fans in tears as Chris Hoy presents Ballon d'Art trophy
- Van Gerwen makes another X-rated comment on live TV
- Littler reveals unusual preparation for final
Topics