DARTS ace Luke Littler silenced his critics after booking a place at next month’s Players Championship Finals.
The 18-year-old beat Dutch star Dennie Olde Kalter 8-2 to win Players Chapionship 32 on Wednesday.
On his way to the final he also defeated Dylan Slevin, Jeffrey de Graaf, Adam Lipscombe, Adam Hunt, Rhys Griffin and Stephen Bunting.
Littler said: “I’m really happy to come away with a win. At the start of the day it was just about getting through the early stages, and you need to believe in yourself.
“I know I’ve got the capabilities to come from behind in matches and that’s what I did yet again.
“Trying to qualify for Minehead was at the back of my mind. I had seen some people on social media say I wasn’t going to make it, but I’m very happy with the way I played.”
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The Nuke’s latest victory came as he received criticism for playing in the World Youth Championship just one day after beating world No1 Luke Humpries to win the World Grand Prix.
Littler made it to the semi-final of the youth event but lost 6-5 to Beau Greaves, who will now take on reigning champion Gian van Veen in Minehead next month.
Taking to social media after getting back to winning ways in the Players Championship on Wednesday, the teenager shared a screenshot of his latest results.
He captioned the photo with: “Pressure… what pressure.”
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Littler will become world No1 if he goes all the way in Minehead next month.
He is currently £57,750 behind Humphries in the PDC Order of Merit and will bank £120,000 if he takes the crown at the Players Championship Finals.
The Nuke announced on Tuesday that he will now be managed by Target Darts after splitting from ZXF Sports Management.
He said: “Target has been part of my career from the very beginning, and I’ve always had a great relationship with everyone there.
“I’m really happy to have their backing as I continue to focus on my game and prepare for the big tournaments ahead.”
