Latest news with #WorldMatchplay
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Littler gets reality check as he's told he wouldn't get near darts icon
Luke Littler has been tipped to surpass Phil Taylor as the greatest darts player of all time, but Dennis Priestley believes the 18-year-old wouldn't be able to rival 'The Power' Darts legend Dennis Priestley has suggested that Luke Littler wouldn't "get close" to Phil Taylor if they played in the same era. Littler, 18, has made huge waves on the darts scene since his remarkable debut at the PDC World Championship in 2023. Following his extraordinary journey to the final at Alexandra Palace when he was only 16, Littler went on to become the youngest ever darts World Champion in January this year. Despite the teenager's meteoric rise and predictions that he could break Taylor's record of 16 world titles, 1991 World Champion Priestley remains sceptical. He even places Littler's fierce rival, Luke Humphries, above him. "I think Phil Taylor in his prime was more consistent than even Luke Humphries and Luke Littler are at the moment," the 74-year-old told OLBG. "Phil's records tell us the whole story and he was so good that it was hard for anyone to get close to him. I think if you put a prime Phil Taylor into the current game he would be world No. 1 with Humphries in second and Littler in third." Littler, known as 'The Nuke', is also chasing Taylor's haul of six Premier League Darts titles, just one behind Michael van Gerwen's seven. The prodigy has already claimed one title, having won it on his first attempt last year, reports the Express. However, he failed to retain his title on Thursday night, as Humphries triumphed over him 11-8 in London, avenging last year's defeat. In an unexpected twist, Humphries disclosed that it was Taylor himself who offered him some sage advice to help him defeat Littler. "Phil Taylor has given me a lot of support over the last couple of weeks or so," Humphries shared with Sky Sports. "Phil, if you are watching, thank you. He gave me a lot of advice and that extra support." The notion of 'The Power' backing Humphries is bound to raise eyebrows, especially after the 64-year-old suggested that Littler would need to make a significant impact in the sport if he wants to surpass him. "If he wants to carry on and win, beat my records, then he's going to have to be dedicated. And I mean dedicated for at least 25 years," Taylor told talkSPORT. Taylor had a glittering 31-year professional career from 1987 to 2018, during which he clinched two BDO world titles in 1990 and 1992. He also won the World Championship 14 times between 1995 and 2013. However, in what some saw as a veiled jibe at the man he's trying to outdo in the history books, Littler suggested that Taylor would "struggle" in today's environment. "He (Taylor) also won the World Matchplay 16 times, so he's won two of the big majors 16 times - it'll take some doing," Littler said on the Stick to Football podcast in April. "It (the competition) is a lot better now. You still had Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow - it was still a good field but nowadays, I think Phil would struggle," he added. "If I can be bothered to stay around for that time (I could maybe beat his record). If I want to (continue playing), then I will." Littler has been confirmed to represent England in the 2025 World Cup of Darts alongside Premier League winner Humphries. The duo will join forces at the event scheduled from June 12 to 15 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
European Darts Open 2025 order of play: full schedule and start times as Dave Chisnall defends title in Leverkusen
Gary Anderson and Peter Wright amongst the World champions hunting victory in Germany Dave Chisnall will begin his defence of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Open against Cameron Menzies. The year's eighth European Tour event is now down to 32 players competing for the £30,000 top prize in Leverkusen after Friday's 16 first round matches. The 16 PDC Order of Merit Qualifiers will enter the tournament in Saturday's second round as reigning champion Chisnall sets his sights on a ninth European Tour crown with Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, Nathan Aspinall and Gary Anderson amongst the big names joining for the second-round matches. Highlights on day one saw Niko Springer storm through by demolishing Dirk van Duijvenbode to set-up a clash with Chris Dobey. Sweden's Andreas Harrysson claimed the scalp of Raymond van Barneveld and will now face another former World Champion Smith, who is embroiled in a battle for World Matchplay qualification. Wessel Nijman, a semi-finalist in Rosmalen last weekend, swept aside the returning Brendan Dolan in his opener and his reward is a clash with two-time World Champion Gary Anderson. Following Saturday's second round, the third round will take place on Sunday afternoon, before the tournament concludes with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in a blockbuster evening session. Live coverage from the European Darts Open will be streamed on DAZN for viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and through the DAZN Darts channel on Pluto TV. Schedule of Play Saturday May 31 Second Round Afternoon Session 12 noon Ross Smith v Matt Campbell Ryan Searle v Andrew Gilding Damon Heta v Mickey Mansell Danny Noppert v Ritchie Edhouse Dave Chisnall v Cameron Menzies Gary Anderson v Wessel Nijman Mike De Decker v Ryan Joyce Gian van Veen v Daryl Gurney Evening Session 6pm Chris Dobey v Niko Springer James Wade v Lukas Wenig Peter Wright v Darryl Pilgrim Jonny Clayton v Jermaine Wattimena Michael Smith v Andreas Harrysson Nathan Aspinall v Bradley Brooks Martin Schindler v Ricardo Pietreczko Stephen Bunting v Luke Woodhouse Sunday June 1 Afternoon Session 12 noon Third Round Evening Session 6pm Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals WHERE TO WATCH: All European Tour events are streamed live through Viaplay in the UK and also on PDC TV.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Luke Humphries thanks Phil Taylor for ‘extra boost' after winning Premier League
The world number one completed darts' 'triple crown' as he beat rival Luke Littler in the final at the O2 Arena in London, adding to his World Championship and World Matchplay wins. He joined an esteemed list as only Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson had previously won all three prestigious tournaments. ✅World Championship🏆✅World Matchplay🏆 ✅ PREMIER LEAGUE!🏆 What a feeling! It feels so good to join such an exclusive club to win these three big trophies, and I'm over the moon to win the @BetMGMUK Premier League! It's been a long, hard 17 weeks, but the reward at the… — Luke Humphries (@lukeh180) May 29, 2025 And the 30-year-old revealed chatting to Taylor – a six-time Premier League champion – helped him get over the line. 'To Phil Taylor, thank you so much. He has given me so much support,' he said. 'He has given me a lot of advice and an extra boost tonight. I'm really happy with that win. 'I'll keep it private between me and Phil. He just gave me confidence and was supportive of me. I think when you've got the greatest dart player in the world, showing a bit of support and belief in you, it makes you feel good. 'It's always nice when someone believes in you, but when the best in the world, or was the best in the world, believes in you it feels good.' A post shared by Professional Darts Corporation (@officialpdc) Humphries looked a good bet to dominate the sport until Littler came along 18 months, with the teenager's to the World Championship final kickstarting an enduring rivalry. They are streets ahead of the rest of the field and this was their 24th meeting in 18 months, with nine of them coming in this season's Premier League alone. Humphries revealed that Taylor's advice was centred on him rather than how to beat Littler. 'It wasn't anything to do with Luke. It was all about me,' he said. 'He's never going to give me advice on how to beat people. He's just going to give me advice about me. 'It's all about me. He was telling me stuff about myself, about my just believing in me, to be honest. 'I would never, ever say anything that he's told me specifically, because that's our business. 'But he's just really supportive and gave me that bit of advice.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Humphries makes Luke Littler claim ahead of World Cup of Darts
Luke Humphries is used to being enemies with Luke Littler on the darts circuit but soon they will put their rivalry aside for the World Cup of Darts - and he is excited by the prospect of them teaming up Luke Humphries can't wait to be Luke Littler 's team-mate at the World Cup of Darts next month - because they meet so often as rivals. Cool Hand Luke won the pair's NINTH shoot-out in 105 days to reaffirm his credentials as world No.1 with a clinical 11-8 triumph in the BetMGM Premier League play-offs final at London's O2 arena on Thursday night. Humphries became only the fourth man to complete the Triple Crown of darts - world title, World Matchplay and Premier League champion - after Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson. And his £305,000 prize money, including three £10k bonuses on the Thursday night circus tour, underlined him as 18-year-old sensation Littler's biggest threat to dominating the sport. Can I play you every week? Humphries would have no complaints if that's how it unfolds - even if it risks diluting their box-office rivalry through sheer repetition. He said: 'If it's me and Luke in the final of every tournament, you will see us playing each other 40 or 50 times a year. If we play in every Players Championship on the floor and European Tour event, plus every TV major and every Premier League, that's what could happen. 'But the only reason we play each other so much is because we end up making the finals - I don't know how you stop it. People talk about changing the Premier League format, but why would I want to change it when I reached the final one year and won it the next? 'The magnitude of darts now is such that we could meet three or four times a week if we made every final. But if you are the two best players in the world, performing so well, and making the final every week, that's how it works. "I would not even dream of suggesting they change the Premier League format - it's up to the PDC, they know what they are doing. The fans still come in their thousands, it still gets good numbers on Sky Sports. It's up to people like me to work hard and win titles. Let's not change it.' Littler, who ran out of gas at the O2 after topping the Premier League table for almost four months, and Humphries will fly the flag for defending champions England at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. Luke the Nuke said: 'I can't wait for the World Cup. He won it last year, so now he can lead me to victory.' Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis, the pairing who won it four times in five years between 2012-16, say the Two Lukes will take some stopping - and Humphries agrees. He said: 'It will take good darts to beat us. They will have to play well. We have got a lot of pressure on our shoulders, but we will thrive on it. I love Luke, I think he's a good kid and a close friend of mine in darts. When I am around him, we always speak, we always chat. He's a great kid. 'It's always nice to share the stage with him. Of course, he will probably win more than I will ever win in my career because he's so young and he's a great talent. I am happy when I nab one here and there, but I am sure he will get me back many times in the future. 'It's another final in the Luke and Luke saga. The next big one is the World Cup, between all the big nations, and I really want to win that again. I will hopefully guide Luke to World Cup glory, and I hope our rivalry continues. But there is always someone else that comes around the corner. In five years' time there could be 10 players as good as me and Luke. 'I'd love to say over the next 10 years we will battle it out over many finals. We probably will. But there will probably be a lot of other names in and around and involved with us."
The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler in Premier League final to claim Triple Crown
WORLD NUMBER ONE Luke Humphries became just the fourth player to win the Triple Crown after he beat rival Luke Littler in the Premier League final. Humphries edged out the teenage star 11-8 at London's O2 Arena to win the tournament for the first time. He joins Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson in completing the set of the three biggest competitions in the sport, having already won the World Championship and the World Matchplay. The 30-year-old cemented his position as one of the greats and his enduring rivalry with Littler is carrying the sport. Advertisement Luke Humphries celebrates. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo These two are streets ahead of the rest of the field and this was their 24th meeting in 18 months, with nine of them coming in this season's Premier League alone. Littler threw a nine-darter on his way to glory over Humphries in 2024, but the teenager failed in his attempt to follow Taylor and Van Gerwen in defending the Premier League crown as Humphries gained revenge. The 18-year-old needed a trademark golden spell to beat Gerwyn Price in the semi-final, winning six out of seven legs, while Humphries saw off Nathan Aspinall. But it was Humphries' golden spell that decided the final as he won four legs in a row to turn a 5-3 deficit into a 7-5 lead and he never relinquished it. 'Honestly, that one means the world to me,' he said. 'That was the one I was missing. That was the one I wanted. I've done it now, if I don't win another ever title, I'm happy because I have done the three hardest ones to do. 'I've joined the elusive, group of Gary, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.' Littler dominated the league phase of the second biggest tournament in the sport, with six nightly wins and a record 45 points, but fell just short at the end. Luke Littler sits on the stage after losing to Luke Humphries in the final. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Littler said: 'I had a little bit of a thing after the game like I do, nobody likes losing. I'm fine, it's been a tough 17 weeks. I am happy it's over. I'll be back next year. 'I have set many records, I don't think they will be broken (by somebody else) because I am going to come back and try and break my own records.'
