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.
GettyLuke Littler is the youngest winner ever of the Triple Crown[/caption]
GettyJames Wade saw his fine recent form come to an end in the final[/caption]
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.
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’.
GettyLittler once again had to come back from a shocking start[/caption]
Littler has set yet another record
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“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.
Luke Littler won the World Matchplay title by beating James Wade Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
