Featured Image Credit: ITV Sport
Topics: Luke Littler, Darts
Ryan Smart
Luke Littler revealed what Nathan Aspinall told him after he hit a stunning nine-darter in the quarter-final of the Bahrain Darts Masters.
The 16-year-old went on to win the entire event for his first senior PDC title, beating Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in the final.
That was the third of three matches on what was a gruelling day for Littler, which began with his quarter-final clash against world number four Aspinall.
And in what was anticipated to be a high-scoring and fast-paced encounter, Littler got off to the ideal start.
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In the first leg of the match, 'The Nuke' achieved perfection down the traditional 180-180-141 route, in what was his first televised nine-darter.
He then broke Aspinall's throw to go 2-0 ahead in the match, and while the Stockport-born dartist immediately broke back before levelling at 2-2, Littler then strode ahead and secured a 6-3 victory.
'The Nuke' then beat Gerwyn Price by the same scoreline in the semi-final, before his historic win over Van Gerwen to seal the title and £20,000 in prize money.
Speaking to ITV's Dan Dawson shortly after the match had concluded, Littler admitted that it was 'good to get one on TV', having already hit a nine-darter on the Development Tour and in youth matches.
The usually reserved 16-year-old couldn't help but scream in celebration after hitting the final double 12, and the crowd burst into raptures at the achievement.
Aspinall, who was visibly pleased for the darts sensation as he applauded him, did send a message to Littler immediately afterwards that put the feat slightly in context.
Littler explained: "Nathan said to me after I hit it, 'It's only a hold of throw!'
"I said, "I know that myself!'"
As already mentioned, 'The Nuke' took head of Aspinall's comment - and ended up breaking the world number four's throw in the next leg.
His nine-darter, meanwhile, meant he became just the second PDC player to achieve the feat at a World Series event after the legendary 16-time world champion Phil Taylor.
He'll definitely be hoping that isn't the last one he hits on his first season on the senior tour.