Luke Littler receives two special awards after stunning nine-darter at Players Championship

Luke Littler was given two special awards by the PDC after his second nine-darter of 2024 at Players Championship 1 in Wigan.

The 17-year-old was playing on the ProTour for the first time on Monday, having earned a two-year tour card thanks to his performances on last season's Development Tour and his run to the World Championship final.

And Littler produced a memorable run in the North West, beating the likes of Luke Woodhouse, Cameron Menzies and Alan Soutar on his way to reaching the final.

He then averaged 109 to beat Ryan Searle in a 8-7 victory to claim his first Players Championship title.

But the most-seen moment of the day came during his last 32 clash against Italian player Michele Turetta.

Littler produced perfection in hitting a nine-darter - which was remarkably one of three hit by different players that day - on his way to a 6-1 success.

He then almost hit a remarkable second nine-darter in his last 16 clash against Menzies, but agonisingly missed double 12.

Before Players Championship 2 got underway in Wigan on Tuesday, Littler was presented with two commemorative awards by the PDC.

He was given a gold pin badge for the televised nine-darter he hit in the Bahrain Darts Masters last month in his quarter-final match against Nathan Aspinall.

And 'The Nuke' was also handed a silver pin badge, representing the non-televised nine-darter he hit against Turetta on Tuesday.

Luke Littler, Leighton Bennett & Mickey Mansell have been awarded Silver Pin Badges following their nine-dart exploits in Wigan yesterday! 👏

Littler also received a Gold Pin Badge after achieving perfection in his title-winning campaign at last month's Bahrain Darts Masters! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/eHvXbhp6ZD

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 13, 2024

He wasn't the only player recognised, with Leighton Bennett and Mickey Mansell - the other two players to hit nine-darters on Monday - also given silver badges.

Speaking after his final victory over Searle, Littler told the PDC's social media channels: "I'm really happy to have won.

"Me and my manager know what I have to do to qualify for the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix.

"I've got about 13 or 14 ProTours before the World Matchplay, but it's always good to get off to a good start.

"I want to try and qualify for everything, and I've just got to play my game. I'm taking it in my stride."