Luke Littler set to disappoint fans as star reveals plan after winning Austrian Darts Open

Luke Littler set to disappoint fans as star reveals plan after winning Austrian Darts Open

WATCH NOW: Luke Littler reacts to hitting a nine-darter earlier this year

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 29/04/2024

- 09:16

Updated: 29/04/2024

- 10:51

The youngster won another event at the weekend as his stock continues to rise

Luke Littler says he plans to reduce his schedule after winning a second European Tour title in Austria on Sunday.

The 17-year-old stormed to victory over Joe Cullen in the final in Graz to pick up another £30,000 in prize winnings.


Littler is flying high at the top of the Premier League, having won three of the last five nights in the competition.

He is on the cusp of securing qualification for the play-off stage and he took his fine recent form to Austria at the weekend.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler confirmed he plans to reduce his schedule after winning the Austrian Darts Open

PDC

Littler overcame Zoran Lerchbacher on Friday and Damon Heta on Saturday to secure his place in Sunday's final stages.

He beat Krzysztof Ratajski and Danny Noppert to reach the semi-final, where he faced fellow Englishman Ross Smith.

Littler eased past the 35-year-old with a 7-2 win to set up the final against Cullen.

He was not at his best in the final but was still far too good for his opponent, winning 8-4.

Littler's rise up the rankings means he now qualifies automatically for European Tour events.

But he is set to disappoint some fans by admitting he plans to play fewer tournaments.

Littler said: "Yeah if I do well then obviously if I get into the other majors and I've secured myself then I can just drop out of stuff and take the days off as chilling and look onto the next thing.

"So winning this has done me really well."

It is the fourth PDC tournament Littler has won since bursting onto the scene at the World Darts Championship last December.

He won the Bahrain Masters in January and a Players Championship event in February.

Littler's last success before Sunday was at the Belgian Darts Open in March, with much of his focus since being on the Premier League.

His form in Austria proved he is currently the player to beat in the world of darts.

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Luke Littler

Luke Littler was given a green jacket following his win at the Austrian Darts Open

PDC

The teenager, who was given a green jacket for his win, was delighted to pick up another trophy.

Littler added: "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.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler has now won two European Tour events

PDC

"I said Belgium was good but these [fans] are so much better, better than Belgium 100 per cent!

"This weekend has been good, my darts have been good and these guys [the crowd] have helped me so much."

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