For Littler, he was able to prove doubters wrong, with many questioning whether he should have even been in this year’s Premier League just weeks after his shock run to the World Championship final on debut over Christmas.
“One thing I just want to say – to all the doubters, hello. I’ve just picked up this [trophy]. You’re not doubting me any more,” Littler said after toppling Humphries, the same man who stopped him from becoming world champion back in January.
Asked if he could dominate like 16-time world championship winner Phil Taylor, he said: “I could do, but I’m just enjoying it.”
Already, two of 2024’s biggest darting finals have been played out by Littler and Humphries and perhaps, with the two running away at the top of this year’s Premier League table, it is a sign of what is to come in the immediate future of darts.
“I think me and Luke are the two greatest players in the world at the moment and this was another great battle,” said Humphries.
“If you look at the season as a whole, he deserved to be Premier League champion.
“I’m proud of Luke, everyone knows what I think of him, I love him to bits, he’s a great lad. I hope he enjoys himself and he deserves this moment.”
Littler becomes the eighth player in Premier League history to lift the trophy, but is the youngest so far.
“Luke Littler has already done more than 99% of players do in a 20-year career. He’s just that good,” added former World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle on Sky Sports.
“He does special things every week.
“It is insane what he’s doing on the dart board.”
The teenage sensation is showing no signs of slowing down, a frightening prospect for those trying to stop him from one day becoming one of the sport’s all-time greats.
