LUKE LITTLER DEFENDS WORLD MATCHPLAY DARTS TITLE

Luke Littler won the World Matchplay darts title for a second consecutive year, defeating Gerwyn Price 18-9 in the final in Blackpool. Littler averaged 111.53 in the final match. The 19-year-old set a tournament-wide average of 111.04, surpassing Phil Taylor's previous record of 106.31. Littler also broke his own competition record by hitting 12 180s in the final, bringing his weekly total to 66.

Littler became only the third player to successfully defend the Matchplay title, following Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, who last achieved the feat in 2016. Littler took a 3-1 lead early in the match with a 167 checkout. Price reduced the deficit to 14-7 but could not sustain the momentum. Despite averaging 104.97, Price was unable to compete at Littler's level. Littler has now won the World Championship, UK Open, Premier League and the Masters this year, with further opportunities to add titles in the Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals.

Littler said he had played "some of the best darts of my life" during the tournament. Price stated that Littler is "one in a million" and acknowledged missing opportunities in the final. Littler will next compete in Pro Tour events to qualify for the Players Championship Finals, having postponed a planned trip to Spain.