Luke Littler's lightening-fast darts electrified the Winter Gardens in Blackpool as he annihilated Gerwyn Price 18-9 to claim an astonishing second successive Betfred World Matchplay title. The 19-year-old phenom's dominance was nothing short of breathtaking, obliterating long-standing records and cementing his position as one of the most feared players on the planet. Littler's average in the final was a staggering 111.53, eclipsing his own tournament average of 111.04, which shattered Phil Taylor's record of 106.31.
The youngster's relentless scoring onslaught throughout the week also saw him shatter his own competition record for 180s, registering an astonishing 12 maximums in the final to bring his total for the event to a mind-boggling 66. This victory propels Littler into an elite group alongside darts legends Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen (who last achieved this feat in 2016), joining an exclusive club of players who have successfully defended the World Matchplay title. His triumph keeps him firmly on track for a potential clean sweep of major trophies this year, having already secured the World Championship, UK Open, Premier League, and The Masters.
From the get-go, Littler was in irresistible form, establishing a 3-1 lead with a crucial 167 checkout that immediately put Price under pressure. Despite Price's valiant efforts, including a nine-darter to narrow the deficit to 15-9, Littler responded with a show-stopping 148 finish before closing out the match in devastating fashion. Price, appearing in his first Matchplay final since 2022, acknowledged Littler's exceptional talent, stating, "Luke is one in a million." The Welshman, despite averaging a respectable 104.97, was simply outclassed by Littler's clinical precision.
Reflecting on his victory, Littler described it as "a crazy week," highlighting the challenge despite his seemingly effortless performance. "The stats make it look easy, but when you're on this stage with how hot it is, I've definitely played some of the best darts of my life," he commented. His attention now turns to the Pro Tour circuit, a necessary step to qualify for the Player Championship Finals, as he continues his ambitious pursuit of winning every major title this year.
Earlier in the day, the Women's World Matchplay final delivered high drama as Beau Greaves secured her third title in four years. Greaves edged out Fallon Sherrock 6-5 in a captivating contest that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Greaves started strong with finishes of 148 and 144 in successive legs, but Sherrock fought back to level the match at 5-5, forcing a deciding leg. After sharing maximums, Greaves ultimately triumphed with a 56 checkout, expressing relief at her hard-fought victory against a strong opponent.