Luke Littler wins the Bahrain Darts Masters with 8-5 victory over Michael van Gerwen

Luke Littler has won the 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters after sealing a 8-5 win over Michael van Gerwen - lifting his first senior ranking event title.

The 16-year-old lit up the Gulf state by beating Man Lok Leung, Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price on the way to the final.

He even hit a nine-darter against Aspinall on the way to a 6-3 win, becoming just the second player after Phil Taylor to record the perfect leg at a World Series event.

Those victories set up a mouth-watering final clash with Van Gerwen, who needed a last-leg decider to beat 2023 world champion Michael Smith 7-6 in his semi-final.

'The Nuke' missed double 10 for an early break of throw in the final, but hit a superb 11-dart leg to go into the interval 4-3 ahead.

He then did break Van Gerwen's throw for the first time in the match to go 5-3 ahead, although the Dutchman broke straight back with a stunning 105 checkout to make it 5-4, and then 5-5.

Littler then won three consecutive legs to secure a stunning victory in Bahrain.

LUKE LITTLER IS THE 2024 BAHRAIN DARTS MASTER 🏆

Simply breathtaking from the 16-year-old... 🙌

He hits a nine-darter, and beats Man Lok Leung, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price and MIchael van Gerwen to win his first PDC Senior title.

The first of how many...? pic.twitter.com/aCSSJ6sTnD

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 19, 2024

The first senior PDC title adds to a stunning past month for Littler, who became the youngest player ever to reach the final of the World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Littler earned £200,000 for finishing as runner-up to world number one Luke Humphries, and pockets a further £20,000 for winning in Bahrain.

More to follow...