Luke Littler clinched his first World Series win of the season with a win at the Australian Darts Masters amid taunts from the crowd.
Littler is the reigning world and World Matchplay champion but was yet to win on the World Series tour this year.
Last year, the 18-year-old won World Series events in Bahrain, Poland and the Netherlands and will look to build on his success down under.
Littler defeated Mike De Decker in Saturday’s finals after wins over home favourite Damon Heta and cult hero Stephen Bunting. The win avenges last year’s defeat where he was smashed 8-1 by Gerwyn Price.
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Littler is not one to shy away from a rowdy crowd and can be often seen goading the onlookers during his mesmerising performances.
Following the victory, Littler revealed the one insult that kept being hurled his way by the Australian crowd.
“There was a group to my right, every time I didn’t hit a treble they were like ‘rubbish, rubbish’,” he said after his victory via DartsNow.
“Someone said I was washed? Not sure what he meant, obviously I’m washed but I just won.
“The darts did the talking.”
Littler added that losing last year to Price gave him added motivation to come back and win this time around.
He said: “Yeah, I think losing any final motivates me because you always want to come back and do one better. Obviously [it was my] debut last year and it didn't go to plan but second time lucky.
“Obviously as a world champion, you need to be winning things. I want to be winning things, but obviously it took five months and then to go on and win at the match play meant everything.
“But now I've won here as well, I've just got that winning feeling back in me.”
Away from the oche, Littler will be closely following the progress of his beloved Manchester United and he was asked to give a prediction on where Ruben Amorim’s men will finish this season after bolstering the squad during the transfer window.
“Yeah, I'm very very excited,” he said.
“I think we're underdogs obviously from last season. I don't think anything worse could happen unless we finish 16th. I think it's going to be a very interesting season and most clubs won't expect it, but I'm expecting top five.”
The next World Series event will take place in New Zealand from August 15-16 where Littler will look to defend his crown.
Topics: Luke Littler, Darts, Manchester United
Marcus Banks