Luke Littler created darts history after crushing Michael van Gerwen in a 7-3 victory, to become the youngest ever PDC World Championship winner.
Littler was in unstoppable form as he raced into a 4-0 lead, and despite Van Gerwen getting three sets on the board, he never really threatened a comeback and was always in the 17-year-old’s rear mirror. Three-times World Champion, Van Gerwen was the previous youngest champion when he won his first titles in 2014 aged 24, but the darting phenomenon that’s Luke smashed that record just as easily as he dealt with the Dutchman on the Alexandra Palace stage.
The teenage ‘Boy Wonder’ from Warrington averaged just over 102 and threw 12 180s in a darting masterclass as he claimed the £500,000 first prize and lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time at the Alexandra Palace, in London. With the way he handled the pressure of being the favourite and the manner of his performances still three weeks short of his 18th birthday, it surely is just the first of many.
Littler was pipped by Luke Humphries in last year's final and when the world number one went out in the fourth round this year, the trophy looked to be there for the taking. Dutchman, Van Gerwen, who has not been at his best this season, was appearing in his seventh final.
He represented a tough test for youngster, Littler, who showed no signs of nerves when racing into that 4-0 lead - albeit helped by some dodgy finishing by Van Gerwen.
35-year-old Michael (Gerwen) was scoring well but either missed darts at doubles or failed to even get down to a shot at the outer ring - which resulted in him winning just three legs in those first four sets. He finished with a 100 average himself and one more 180 than Littler, with 13.
However, having hit only 14 of 38 on his doubles, he was never going to cut it against the game's new superstar. Speaking after his 7-3 win, Littler said: "I can't believe it.
"Last year’s semis against Rob Cross was the first time I was 1-0 down, and, of course, against Luke (Humphries). But throughout this tournament, I just needed to get off to a quick start.
"Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. I just can't believe it!”
He went on: “I've picked up the best prize ever, and now I want to get more than 10 titles this year. In showing great humility in defeat, Van Gerwen conceded: "You have to take it on the chin, move on and walk off the stage as a champion.
“I always take my hat off to the people that beat me and if they beat me in a good game, fair play to them. That's sport."
"He deserves it. It hurts, but that's how it should be.
“If it doesn't hurt, you're not going to be a sportsman." With his 18th birthday upcoming, new world champion, Luke Littler, is shortly set to start the defence of his Premier League Darts crown.