Latest news with #TheNuke
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Luke Littler becomes youngest EVER triple crown winner after epic comeback against James Wade to win World Matchplay
Veteran James Wade saw his fine form finally ended by brilliant Littler LUKE AT THAT Luke Littler becomes youngest EVER triple crown winner after epic comeback against James Wade to win World Matchplay Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER became the youngest-ever triple crown winner after taking the World Matchplay title. The teen sensation outgunned James Wade 18-13 in a proper slugfest at the Winter Gardens on Sunday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Luke Littler is the youngest winner ever of the Triple Crown Credit: Getty 6 James Wade saw his fine recent form come to an end in the final Credit: Getty 6 Littler celebrates with the trophy and his girlfriend Faith Millar Littler, 18, had to recover from another slow start at 5-0 down to reel in The Machine to win the £200,000 jackpot. The Nuke becomes only the fifth player to achieve the coveted triple of World Championship, Premier League and Matchplay. Only Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries have achieved it before with The Nuke now the youngest. Littler also shattered more records with 64 180s, the most ever in the tournament, breaking Adrian Lewis' previous total of 56. Read more darts luke away Luke Littler sends message to Anderson as darts star hits back at 'boring' jibe Littler, the youngest-ever Matchplay winner, said: 'It means absolutely everything. Taylor has won it 16 times but now my name is on the list. I can say that I've completed the triple crown. 'I was 5-0 down once again. I said to myself 'you've been here before'. 6 Littler once again had to come back from a shocking start Credit: Getty 6 Littler has set yet another record BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'James began to drop off a bit and I started to find my best darts. 'The past week has really shown me as a player. I can come back from 5-0 and 7-3 down. 'Last year I lost in the first round, people might think I'd do the same again. 'Since I won my tour card I said to myself, as long as I win one of every major, I'll be happy. I've only got a few left to tick off.' Wade came roaring out the blocks to lead 5-0 before the first break. But it was short-lived as Littler turned the tables to real off five legs to level it up. Wade started tactics to try and slow the game down but Littler led 8-7 at the third break. Yet again both players seemed to be affected by a whistler in the crowd. Despite the disruptions, Littler continued to take control and gained some breathing space to lead 14-11 and averaging a whopping 106. Plucky Wade rallied to trail by just one at 15-14 but Littler soon wrapped it up.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
PDC Darts World Matchplay Final: Luke Littler vs. James Wade odds, prediction
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. The World Matchplay always brings big moments, and Luke Littler delivered one in his semifinal against Josh Rock. Down 6-1 in a race to 17 legs, Littler and Rock produced a perfect leg of darts, with 'The Nuke' completing the nine-darter. The Winter Gardens reacted as you'd expect. That leg turned the match around for Littler, who advanced to the World Matchplay Final for the first time in his career. Littler, 18, will meet James 'The Machine' Wade in Sunday afternoon's final (Peacock, 3:15 p.m. ET). Littler, the reigning World Champion, is a massive -575 favorite over Wade, who is searching for his second World Matchplay and 11th major title. World Matchplay Final preview: Littler vs. Wade odds Player Odds James Wade +390 Luke Littler -575 Littler has completely changed the landscape of darts. Not only does the 18-year-old boast immense talent, but he's got an incredible disposition on the big stage. There's nowhere to hide in darts, and Littler relishes that side of the sport better than just about anybody we've ever seen. Did we mention he's only 18? Wade, 42, is one of the most experienced and accomplished players in the history of the PDC. The former mechanic has won almost everything there is to be won in this sport, and he's enjoying a bit of a resurgence after a down year in 2024. This is Wade's seventh trip to the World Matchplay Final, and the only time he's lifted the trophy was in 2007, just a few months after Littler was born. James Wade has won 10 major titles in his PDC career. Getty Images While Littler's combination of scoring power and ability to close out legs is now unmatched in the sport, Wade is one of the best players in darts at hanging around and hitting his doubles. In some formats, that would make Wade a dangerous underdog, but in a best-of-35 match, there is plenty of runway for Littler to use his ability to get white hot to put some distance between him and 'The Machine.' Littler's price is quite short, but bettors can find some value by backing the teenager to win by at least eight legs, which is paying +165 on DraftKings. The Play: Littler -7.5 legs (+165, DraftKings) Why Trust New York Post Betting Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
James Wade feasts on out of date pizzas but World Matchplay finalist insists he's not past his sell by
The Machine has been magnificent in Blackpool and can now win a second Matchplay 18 years after his first triumph Time-defying James Wade fancies another slice of Matchplay history after dining on out-of-date pizzas. The Machine forged into a showdown with Luke Littler at the Winter Gardens with his epic semi-final success over Jonny Clayton. Wade is the youngest-ever winner of the tournament having triumphed in 2007 as a raw 24-year-old who had burst onto the scene. Fast forward to 2025 and he's back in the showpiece aiming to lift the trophy again and prevent The Nuke from tagging his youngest-ever tag. Wade might 'not care' about that statistic, but he does care deeply about his darts and has rolled back the years in Blackpool to maintain a superb season of form which is lifting him up the rankings again and banging him into the spotlight. The Londoner isn't being snubbed for TV promos now as he heads into the crunch clash with Littler, but he's also keeping it grounded. Celebrations after the Clayton match were restricted as he said: 'Going back to my room. I've got some pizzas that are four or five days out of date. Hopefully they smell all right when I open them out of the fridge. Everyone thinks I'm joking, but I'm being serious. 'I'm just going back to my room to relax and enjoy myself. Not be too critical of myself. but really, really happy to win. So, so, so lucky to win that game, but it might make up for some of the times where I've been so unlucky. There you go.' It was a titanic tussle that went 38 legs before Wade came through 20-18 and he said: 'To be fair, it's my own fault because I probably should have closed it off earlier. But you know, it is what it is. And there were so many moments where he would have turned me over if God was on his side and not my side. Just happy, don't want to harp on too much about who won and who lost, but I'm happy I won.' Wade reckons 'stupidity' and 'ignorance' were keys to a big 161 finish that set-up the success and added: 'Desperation, rankings. It's nothing more than that. You're stubborn, you want to win and let's be honest, 'Jonny probably should have won that game, but I should have won it way before. Just happy to win. I'm exhausted, genuinely. Not very often I walk in after a game of darts, you know, we all go like, I'm tired. I am genuinely, absolutely bamboozled after that. I'm f****d. I'm knackered, I'm old.' Wade's success ato bridge an 18-year-gap between first and latest would be an incredible storyline, but he's putting no extra store on it as, when asked what it mean to lift The Phil Taylor Trophy again, he said: 'No more different to what they all mean to me.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Luke Littler told get off your a**e by James Wade as The Nuke falls short as a film critic
The Nuke is so relaxed he slept through movie but he's wide awake at the Winter Gardens and on fire Dozy Luke Littler is ready to swing hard for a Triple Crown having fallen asleep while watching Happy Gilmore 2. The Nuke will meet James Wade in tonight's Final as he aims to replace The Machine as the youngest-ever winner of the Betfred World Matchplay. LIttler has been in relaxed mood all week in Blackpool and so comfortable that he ended up having a nap when trying to catch the new comedy golf movie. Asked for a quick film review, he said: 'I fell asleep 20 minutes in. That was before the game against Andrew Gilding. I didn't have much sleep, so I slept through the day and missed it.' Littler has been wide awake on the stage, however, with his magical work culminating in a nine-darter during an epic semi-final success over Josh Rock. Both he and his Northern Irish pal were on the 141 finish after six perfect darts each to start leg eight, but The Nuke didn't even give his mate a shot at it as he pinned the finale. Michael van Gerwen missed double 12 after eight perfect darts before Michael Smith hit the finish in what was previously dubbed darts' greatest-ever leg. But no shot was missed in the Littler/Rock leg and he said: 'I think it is the greatest. All of them trebles and the double was perfect.' While it's Littler's first Matchplay Final, it will be a seventh for The Machine who was in one before the superkid was born and secured the title in 2007 when The Nuke was less than one year old. The pair warmed together before their semis as Littler amusingly revealed: 'We practised. Done a little 121 to 170 check-outs. He literally told me: Get up off your a**e and practise with me, 121! I went: Alright, okay James! We talk a little bit backstage, but I'm sure we'll both be focused. 'I've still got the win over him there [UK Open Final], so I know the feeling of getting a major win over him. 'But he's been here plenty of times, he's experienced, whatever happens on a day, the better player will win and I'm sure it'll be a good game. 2007? I was only just born. But yeah, I've got plenty of time to think about it and try and pick up the trophy. But now I'm here, now I'm in the final, it's obviously all eyes on that trophy. 'The experienced guys, they're still here, they've got the experience there, but for myself I've got a lot of experience of picking up the World Championship and I think I've settled into almost every competition that I walk into. I'm sure it'll be a great game. 'Like I said, it goes to show how these experienced boys, they're still hanging around, they're still plodding along. James, he's one of the very best. But obviously, I've come along, I've done what I've done and all eyes on the Final. I've been relaxed all week long. There's no need to start putting pressure on myself, saying you've got to win this, you've got to do this. If it comes, it comes, if it happens, it happens, if it doesn't, it doesn't. So far it's been good, but for myself it all lies on tomorrow. 'It's going to be special either way. It's been a long time since I picked up a trophy, winner or runner-up. Win or lose, just take it on the chin. Obviously I want to get the win, I won't be putting pressure on myself. The Triple Crown's there to be won and we'll just see how it goes.' Littler had a burst against Rock which was jaw-dropping as he fought back from 6-1 down and he admitted: 'I'm going out in 11, 12, maybe even 13 each leg. Obviously you feel unbeatable in the moment and for myself, as soon as that first treble of 20 lands right on top of the bottom wire, it's just perfect because you know as a player most of the time you're going to fill it up.'
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Luke Littler, 18, kisses girlfriend Faith, 19, during walk-on for nail-biting World Matchplay Darts quarter-final win
LUKE LITTLER planted a kiss on new girlfriend Faith as the darts star continued his quest to become the youngest ever Triple Crown holder. The world champion, 18, later beat Andrew Gilding 16-14 in the quarter-finals at Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Friday night. 1 Luke Littler planted a kiss on new girlfriend Faith in Blackpool As the packed arena roared, and the tension built for his crucial clash, the camera panned to Littler making his grand entrance. And his partner Just before stepping onto the oche, Littler leaned in and gave Faith a tender smooch right there in front of thousands of screaming fans and millions watching live on TV. It was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment of affection that immediately sent social media into a frenzy, with fans cooing over the couple's cute display. READ MORE DARTS NEWS And the kiss brought Littler good luck in the end, as he narrowly beat world No.28 Gilding. Gilding, 54, made it close, going within one leg of Littler, before the darts prodigy hit a perfect 11-darter to win it. Littler hit EIGHTEEEN 180s, with an average of 103 as he booked a place in the semi-final against either Gerwyn Price and Josh Rock. Littler said: "That last leg I just had to stay focused and get over the line. Most read in Darts CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "He won a few on the bounce when I was sat on 15 legs but I just had to do a professional job in the end. "I didn't really panic. Andrew started to win a few legs, but that last leg against the darts as well, I just had to get over the line. Luke Littler stuns World Matchplay Darts with one of his greatest ever comebacks against Jermaine Wattimena "Andrews does what he does. He never goes out of rhythm. It's the same throw by throw and try and match him." Littler and girlfriend Faith were The 19-year-old is a beautician who met Littler in February. The couple jetted off with Littler previously dated Eloise Milburn, who cheered him on at his World Darts Championship debut in 2023. But the pair split after just 10 months in July 2024 after struggling to make time for each other. The World No.2 picked up a Premier League title back in 2024 and followed it up by 'The Nuke' now needs to win the iconic major at the Winter Gardens to add his name to another list of icons. Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and most recently Luke Humphries are the only four players to have completed the prestigious feat. Taylor, 16-times world champion, is still the only player to have completed the 'Triple Crown' in a singular darting season. List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler
