Luke Littler forced to speak out after ‘disrespectful’ incident during Australian Darts Masters match

Luke Littler has broken his silence after he was called 'disrespectful' following an incident in his Australian Darts Masters first round match against Haupai Puha.

The reigning world champion suffered a major scare in Wollongong, New South Wales, winning the final leg of the match against the throw to secure a 6-5 victory.

Puha, New Zealand's highest-ranked darts player, only averaged 88 but was clinical on the doubles, hitting 55 per cent of his doubles compared to Littler's 31 per cent.

The two players only managed to hold their throw in four of the 11 legs - and a surprise decision from Littler almost ended up costing him in leg 10.

With his opponent on 121, Littler walked to the oche on 291 and hit two treble 20s.

However, instead of going for a third to set up a more achievable finish, the 18-year-old instead hit a single one to attempt his favoured 'big fish' 170 checkout.

After Puha missed the chance to take the leg, Littler had a bullseye attempt to hold throw but also missed, with Puha hitting 25 to break.

Fortunately for 'The Nuke', he threw a 13-dart leg against throw to win 6-5 - but there were some nervy moments for the reigning world champion.

Fans had mixed views on his 170 decision, however.

One wrote: "Single 1 on 171 on purpose to leave 170 is just disrespectful towards your opponent imo."

A second agreed: "It's just stupid. Saw him going 9s on 179. It doesn't make sense."

And a third said: "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."

But others had a different view, with one writing: "Personally I don't think it's disrespectful, just think it's confidence in his own ability."

A second agreed: "I think he just likes hitting 170, I don't think it goes much deeper than that."

And a third wrote: "He just wants to entertain and have fun. And I'm pretty sure his opponent prefers he leaves 170 over 111."

Littler explains why he left 170 checkout

In his post-match interview, Littler was specifically asked about the moment and explained why he left the 170 checkout when he could have left a much lower number.

"I don't even know - I think it's just for myself," he said. "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."

Littler will face Australian number one Damon Heta in round two in Wollongong.

There were no major upsets in round one, with all eight players selected by the PDC beating the eight Oceanian representatives.

Among those representatives included 2010 world finalist Simon Whitlock, who no longer has a PDC tour card.

The 55-year-old, from New South Wales, lost 6-1 to Josh Rock.

There were also wins for Luke Humphries, Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price.