Luke Littler produced a performance of startling authority to beat Gian van Veen 7-1 and retain the PDC World Championship, becoming just the fourth player to win the title in consecutive years and confirming his position at the centre of the sport.
At 18, Littler is already keeping company with Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson in the record books. This was his second world title in only his third appearance at Alexandra Palace and it leaves him behind only Taylor and Michael van Gerwen for total PDC world crowns.
If the numbers underline his rise, the manner of victory reinforced it. Littler averaged 106.02 in a final that was effectively settled by the midpoint, overwhelming Van Veen with relentless scoring and ruthless finishing. His opponent averaged close to 100, a level that would win many finals, but was left chasing shadows.
“It’s very special,” Littler said. “We’ve got to keep going, keep adding more titles. We can’t stop here. We’re still on this rollercoaster.”
Van Veen, playing in his first world final, started brightly by taking the opening set, checking out 116 for a 12-darter. It proved a brief interruption. Littler responded with heavy checkouts of his own, including 145, 127 and a superb 170, as he surged into a 3-1 lead in sets and never looked back.
A 147 finish sealed victory in style, Littler roaring towards a crowd firmly on his side as he completed another demolition job. Tears followed as he collected the Sid Waddell Trophy, presented by Sir Chris Hoy, and banked the £1m winner’s cheque.
Van Veen, who will rise to world number three and make his Premier League debut next season, was generous in defeat. “Luke wasn’t in the mood to give me any more chances,” he said. “He played phenomenally. That’s why he’s world number one and back-to-back world champion.”
This triumph caps a year of domination. Littler has now won five major titles in the last 12 months, including the World Matchplay to complete darts’ triple crown, along with the UK Open, Grand Slam of Darts and World Grand Prix. He dropped just four sets across the entire World Championship.
Former professionals struggled to find limits to his game. “There’s nothing he can’t do on a dartboard,” said Wayne Mardle. “The format doesn’t matter any more. He’s just the best.”
Littler is wary of talk about legacy so early in his career, but the comparisons are unavoidable. Only Taylor and Van Gerwen have won more world titles, and Littler is still months away from his 19th birthday.
“I want to dominate everything, I want to try to win everything,” he said. “If it happens, it happens. I’ll be around for a very long time and I’m here to win.”
