FANS appear to LOVE Luke Littler’s new celebration – and they reckon the darts sensation has bagged himself a very big sponsor.
The 16-year-old returned to the oche after his Ally Pally fairytale run to the World Darts Final tonight at the Bahrain Darts Masters.
ITV XLuke Littler return to the oche tonight in Bahrain[/caption]
ITV XThe 16-year-old’s new celebration got fans speculating about a new sponsorship deal[/caption]
An important leg from Luke Littler
Watch the #BahrainDarts24 on @ITVX now pic.twitter.com/7MTwXyBCqo
— ITV Sport (@ITVSport) January 18, 2024
And he started life as a pro on the PDC Tour with a 6-3 win over Hong Kong slinger Man Lok Leung in front of more than 1,000 people.
But the new superstar, who turns 17 on Sunday, made a rusty return with an appearance far removed from his polished Palace performances.
He missed a number of double attempts across the nine legs in a shaky first-round display.
But whenever Warrington ace Littler did secure a leg, he was spotted looking at the Rolex watch on his left arm on several occasions.
His antics did not go unnoticed by his new legion of supporters.
And some even believe that it is all about a secret new sponsorship deal that the young gun has struck since becoming a worldwide name over the festive period.
Despite the timepiece appearing to be the same he wore at the Worlds, that did not stop fans speculating on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Some watch company is definitely paying Luke Littler to look at his watch all the time,” wrote one on social media.
Another said: “Loving Luke Littler flexing his new Rolex here.”
While a third added: “Littler looking at his Rolex makes me smile! Fair play mate.”
After the record-breaking millions that tuned in to watch him at Ally Pally, ITV bosses scored an own goal by tucking away this World Series of Darts Opener on the ITVX streaming service.
Littler will now face Nathan Aspinall tomorrow in the quarter-finals.
He said: “We practised together before the world championship.
“We both know each other’s game. But it’s the first to six legs, straight legs, no breaks.
“It will be good for our management to see us both play. I cannot wait.”
World champion Luke Humphries, who defeated Littler on January 3 for the crown, crushed Bahraini Abdulla Saeed 6-0 and now faces Gerwyn Price in the top half of the draw.
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