18-year-old becomes fifth player to win PDC triple crown
Says Phil Taylor Trophy ‘means absolutely everything’
Luke Littler won his first World Matchplay crown as James Wade’s run in Blackpool fell at the final hurdle. Littler claimed a hard-fought 18-13 victory at the Winter Gardens to become the fifth player to win the PDC triple crown – Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries having also won World Championship, Matchplay and Premier League titles.
Wade was in his seventh Matchplay final 18 years on from his solitary success in 2007, which came six months after Littler was born. Littler’s scoring power in a high-quality contest proved decisive – he hit 17 180s to Wade’s six in averaging 107 – and set a new tournament record of 64 maximums, beating Adrian Lewis’ previous best of 56.
“It means absolutely everything,” Littler told Sky Sports after winning the last four legs to hold the Phil Taylor Trophy aloft. “I idolise Phil, he’s come here 16 times and won it. Now my name is on this trophy – and I can say I’ve completed the Triple Crown.
