LUKE LITTLER’S dream World Matchplay debut was turned into a nightmare by Michael van Gerwen.
The teen sensation was dumped out 10-6 by the Dutchman at the Winter Gardens tonight.
Littler, 17, did average 105 at one stage but lacked his explosive scoring and finishing and was punished by a determined MVG.
He said: “He’s won it a fair few times. I had nothing to lose it’s my debut.
“Most professionals prefer playing on the stage instead of behind closed doors.
“I prefer fans being there chanting my name and that’s how it’s always going to be for myself.”
MVG took control of the clash with four successive legs to lead 5-2.
But Littler fought back to trail 5-4.
But the teenager missed three at tops to allow MVG to lead 6-4 and he never looked back.
Van Gerwen told Sky Sports after his win: “It is always enjoyable playing game of these standards.
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“He is incredible, but you have to face it and you can’t let yourself down.
“I’ve had a holiday but I worked hard on my holiday.”
MVG added: “This means a lot to me because I’ve been going through a rough time, so to actually do something good and be rewarded for all your hard work is always nice.
“I don’t have to prove a point but it is nice when you play well and average over 100.
“That is an incredible feeling. That is what you hope to continue for the rest of the tournament.”
MVG won it for the first time by seeing off James Wade 18–12 in the 2015 final.
The Dutchman retained the title by overcoming Phil Taylor 18-10 a year later.
Van Gerwen then had to wait six years to make it a hat-trick of titles.
But he secured that in 2022 when he beat Gerwyn Price 18–14 in the final.
Now he is looking for No.4 after he punished several costly from Littler to dump him out in the first round.
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has since joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
The wonderkid has now cemented his place among the tungsten elite by winning the Premier League Darts final – and the £275k top prize.
Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.
