Luke Littler began life as a professional darts player with silverware and by becoming the youngest person to hit a televised nine-darter.
The darts sensation, 16, earned an early birthday present by beating three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in the final of the Bahrain Darts Masters, The Sun reports.
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It is his first senior title, achieved incredibly on his debut appearance on the World Series of Darts circuit, for which he will earn $A38,500.
And to overcome world No. 2 Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, in such clinical manner is a seismic result for the sport.
Littler, who turns 17 years old on Sunday, has showcased more evidence of his prodigious talent by sweeping aside everyone in front of him in the Middle East nation.
In the quarter-finals, Littler opened up with a nine-darter in his 6-3 win over practice partner Nathan Aspinall – his moment of perfection occurred in just his tenth leg as a full-time star on the PDC circuit.
The nine-darter makes him the youngest person to achieve the staggering feat in a senior PDC darts event.
He broke the previous record set by Van Gerwen, who achieved the feat when he was 17 years and 10 months old.
Reacting to the breathtaking moment, Eddie Hearn, chairman of the PDC, wrote on X: “WOW! Kid’s a superstar!”
Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle said: “There will be no one bigger than Littler.
“The kid is outrageously talented. How can you not be excited!!!”
He then joked: “Darts is difficult … I’m not sure Luke Littler agrees with me.”
While Ally Pally presenter Abigail Davies added: “Is there anything Luke Littler can’t do? Utter filth.”
Fans at home couldn’t believe their eyes either, with one person writing: “Never seen anything like it. Luke Littler 9 darter first leg of the game. Madness.”
Another added: “Luke Littler you are outrageous.”
Littler was in disbelief over what he’d just achieved as he spoke after securing his first piece of silverware.
“What have I done? You tell me. I don’t know. I’m happy to win,” Littler said.
“Earlier on in the quarters, I hit the nine darter against Nathan. I played well yesterday and played well again tonight.
“No-one probably believes me but I have not thrown a dart since the world final. Thursday was the first proper practice I have put in.
“It has all paid off. I am just happy to win. Michael is still one of the best. He is the very best. I am just happy to win on my debut.
“It has been unbelievable this week. Us eight in the Premier League and the eight Asian qualifiers, who were brilliant as well. But I am happy to come out as the winner.
“I haven’t really set any goals this year. I didn’t expect to pick up this trophy this week. It has been good to come here, with great people, a great crowd on my side.
“I am just happy. There are no goals this year, I’ll just see what my darts do.”
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
