Luke Littler, 18, makes Premier League history as he beats Van Gerwen in Birmingham to set incredible new record
LUKE LITTLER has become the first person to win FIVE Premier League nights in the same year.
Having waited five weeks to get over the line, the reigning world champion, 18, did the deed against Michael van Gerwen, winning 6-4 in the final in Birmingham.
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Littler extended his lead at the top of the Premier League standings with victory.
The Nuke's triumph takes him past his own tally of four nightly wins from last year, where he won a maiden title.
Littler averaged 102.50 in the final against Mighty Mike, who he beat in the PDC World Championship final in January.
It was a slow start to the evening for the Warrington teenager, who needed deciding legs against both Stephen Bunting and Nathan Aspinall to record 6-5 wins.
The Nuke threw 7 maximums against The Asp - but was just 6 from 17 on his doubles and survived a match dart.
It came after he broke yet another record in the win over Bunting.
The 18-year-old managed to notch up his 129th 180 of the season.
It surpassed the previous record of 128 - set by Littler last term - for the most 180s in a single Premier League campaign.
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And Littler did it with four nights of the season remaining, including the final at London's O2 Arena.
After making history, Littler told Sky: "I’m very happy. The fifth nightly win, I knew it was going to come at some point.
"It has been a few weeks since I won my first game. I was confident once I beat Stephen [Bunting]. It was a cracking final.
"I want to finish top of the table. The first semi at the O2 is so crucial, there’s not much of a turnaround. I’m confident I will stay No.1.
"It will be a good few weeks, watching the other guys fight it out for the fourth and fifth spots as I cruise at the top.
"You have to enjoy it. I will relax now. I’m confident I will stay top of the table.”
Earlier on Thursday, Littler withdrew from this weekend's European Darts Grand Prix.
Asked what he will do with his time off, he smiled: "Same old, chill out.
"[Play some] Xbox, I might go watch the rugby in Newcastle."
The 18-year-old will be the only player ranked in the PDC top 20 to miss the event in Sindelfingen, Germany.
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His absence will not be a shock to many fans, given his tumultuous relationship with German darts crowds.
In Berlin last month, Littler was greeted with hostility ahead of his quarter-final match against Chris Dobey.
Some members of the crowd booed the world champion, who responded by making gestures.
Littler was also booed at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich two weeks ago.
After the event, he took to social media to share his discontent and claimed he would not be back in Germany until October.
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 - £500,000
World Championship 2024 - £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 - £150,000
European Tour - £91,000
Player Championships events - £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up - £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 - £17,500
World Matchplay - £10,000
World Grand Prix - £7,500
European Championship - £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts - £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
Littler picked up another £10,000 for his win in Birmingham.
And he has mathematically secured his spot in the Prem Playoffs at London’s O2 Arena later this month.
With 35 points against his name, he will now look to set an overall league points record, which is currently 40.
It was a successful night for the Warrington lad, especially as his beloved Manchester United ended up doing the business against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
Yet for Van Gerwen, 36, this defeat means he is still searching for a first win as this Prem Road Show moves up to Leeds next week.
thesun
