Luke Littler denied back-to-back titles after losing to Michael van Gerwen at Dutch Masters

Luke Littler was denied back-to-back titles after losing against Michael van Gerwen at the 20224 PDC Dutch Masters.

This week, Littler returned to the oche after he claimed his first senior title in Bahrain eight days ago.

The Brit beat Van Gerwen in the final in the Middle East, producing a stunning display to win the clash 8-5.

Speaking after the match, Van Gerwen said: “It is never going to be a good week when Michael is not winning, simple as that. [Littler] has had a fantastic tournament as well - everyone says he is a new kid, but everyone knows what he is capable of.

“I couldn't produce what I was doing in the early games [in the final]. You can only punish yourself for that. You have to make sure you get better for the next one. I'll get him, don't worry.”

On Friday night, Littler opened his tournament with a convincing 6-2 win over home player Dirk van Duijvenbode.

In the quarter-final, Littler won 6-5 against Luke Humphries, the man who beat the 17-year-old in the PDC World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace earlier in the month.

Littler then faced Wales’ Gerwyn Price for a place in the final, the teenager from Warrington took out Price after winning 7-4.

In the final against Van Gerwen, Littler wasn’t able to get over the line as the Dutchman produced a brilliant display to win 8-6 and claim the title.

Getty

Van Gerwen was in fine form as he managed a stunning average of 106 in the final.

Speaking after the match, he said: "He's put me under so much pressure, Luke Littler, he's going to have a bright future. His scoring power is so immense.

"He doesn't care about anything and does his own thing, which I think is a good thing."