Luke Littler has been labelled a 'generational talent' after winning the Austrian Darts Open at the weekend.
Defeated finalist Joe Cullen was glowing in his praise of the teenager after admitting he was 'rubbish' during the loss.
Littler has now won two European Tour events after claiming victory at the Belgian Darts Open in March.
He overcame the likes of Damon Heta and Danny Noppert in the earlier rounds before brushing aside Ross Smith in the semi-final in Graz.
Luke Littler has been paid a huge compliment by Joe Cullen after winning the Austrian Darts Open
PDC
Littler was far too good for Cullen in the final despite being below his usually high standards, winning 8-4.
Cullen was frustrated with how he played but was keen to congratulate his opponent on his win.
He said: "To be honest I was rubbish. To be fair I didn't think Luke played that well but he played better than me and did what he had to do at the right times.
"I was not very good. I'm disappointed with the way I played in the final but if you'd have offered me a final before the week started I'd have taken it.
"I'm disappointed but congratulations to Luke.
"He's a fantastic talent, I think he's a generational talent.
"I think I've practised more in the last hour than he has in the whole weekend! So congratulations to him.
"He's been fantastic all weekend and he's great for the game."
Littler has now won four PDC tournaments in 2024, having also won the Bahrain Masters and a Players Championship event.
He is sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and is on the cusp of securing qualification to the play-off stage.
The 17-year-old has won three of the last five nights in the competition, claiming victory last time out in Liverpool.
Littler was pleased with how he played in Austria and paid tribute to the fans for their support.
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Joe Cullen described Luke Littler as a generational talent after the Austrian Darts Open
PDC
He said: "I'm just happy to get over the line again.
"It didn't happen [at the European Darts Grand Prix] in Sindelfingen but I've come here and I've put myself right and won another one.
"We started off really well but I think I stuck at it and Joe started to fall off and I saw that and I put my scoring back on top of his and I got over the line.
"I said Belgium was good but these [fans] are so much better, better than Belgium 100 per cent!
Luke Littler has now won two European Tour events in 2024
PDC
"This weekend has been good, my darts have been good and these guys [the crowd] have helped me so much."
Littler is next in action this Thursday when the Premier League roadshow arrives in Aberdeen for night 14.
There are just three weekly nights remaining before the play-offs at London's O2 Arena on May 23.
