Luke Littler explains ‘disrespectful' act against Haupai Puha at Australian Darts Masters
The Nuke's throw was slammed by fans as "disrespectful" as he left himself 170 in the 10th leg down under.
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Littler, 18, was trailing in the leg to Puha and had 291 to hit as he approached the oche.
He hit two treble 20s but instead of going for another one he threw a one to leave himself a big fish finish.
Puha only has 121 to win the leg and put real pressure on the world champion heading into the final leg.
Fortunately, he missed, and Luke was able to wrap up the match.
But some fans were left unimpressed by the Warrington thrower's actions as they reacted on social media.
One posted: "Single 1 on 171 on purpose to leave 170 is just disrespectful towards your opponent imo."
A second wrote: "It's just stupid. Saw him going 9s on 179. It doesn't make sense."
A third commented: "I understand it's a glorified exhibition but Haupai is a tour card holder and this comp will mean a lot to him due to where it's being held."
Others did not see Littler as being disrespectful but instead "confident in his own ability" and that he just wants to "entertain".
Littler was quizzed about his motivations for setting up the big fish finishes after the match.
He explained: "I don't even know - I think it's just for myself.
"Obviously, at that point I was 5-4 up, maybe I should have tried hitting the 180 because I knew that Haupai had the darts for the last leg.
"But I just thought I'd try and leave it [the 170] and try and finish it.
"If not, I'd have to break the throw in the last leg."
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