LUKE LITTLER has explained why he threw a one against Haupai Puha at the Australian Darts Masters.
The Nuke’s throw was slammed by fans as “disrespectful” as he left himself 170 in the 10th leg Down Under.
James Patrick/PDCLuke Littler at the Australian Darts Masters 2025[/caption]
Littler, 18, was trailing in the leg to Puha and had 291 to hit as he approached the oche.
He hit two treble 20s but instead of going for another one he threw a one to leave himself a big fish finish.
Puha only has 121 to win the leg and put real pressure on the world champion heading into the final leg.
However, he missed, and Littler was able to wrap up the match.
But some fans were left unimpressed by the Warrington thrower’s actions as they reacted on social media.
One posted: “Single 1 on 171 on purpose to leave 170 is just disrespectful towards your opponent imo.”
A second wrote: “It’s just stupid. Saw him going 9s on 179. It doesn’t make sense.”
A third commented: “I understand it’s a glorified exhibition but Haupai is a tour card holder and this comp will mean a lot to him due to where it’s being held.”
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN
Others did not see Littler as being disrespectful but instead “confident in his own ability” and that he just wants to “entertain”.
Littler was quizzed about his motivations for setting up the big fish finishes after the match.
He explained: “I don’t even know – I think it’s just for myself.
“Obviously, at that point I was 5-4 up, maybe I should have tried hitting the 180 because I knew that Haupai had the darts for the last leg.
“But I just thought I’d try and leave it [the 170] and try and finish it.
“If not, I’d have to break the throw in the last leg.”
Luke Littler prize money breakdown
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 – £500,000
World Championship 2024 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championships events – £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
