Darts May 08, 2026

Luke Littler: I'm not practising but I'm getting in rivals' heads - 'Sometimes I have Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen beaten before last leg'

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Luke Littler: I'm not practising but I'm getting in rivals' heads - 'Sometimes I have Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen beaten before last leg'

Luke Littler has revealed he's "not practising" at the moment despite three nightly Premier League Darts wins on the trot, adding he feels he is getting in rivals Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen's heads. 

Littler made it a hat-trick of nightly wins on Thursday, claiming in the final on Night 14 in Leeds.

The 19-year-old also saw off Van Gerwen by the same narrow 6-5 margin in his Thursday quarter-final, in addition to beating Jonny Clayton 6-5 in the semi-finals.

The Nuke's nightly win comes a week after he beat Humphries by the same 6-5 scoreline to win Night 13 in Aberdeen.

"I've said for many years, I always back myself in a last leg," Littler said.

"I just say to myself: 'It's do or die, you've got to hit it' - and that's what I did. Again with Luke [Humphries], same as last week, his worst leg was that last one. But yeah, another nightly win.

"Obviously taking out any big shot is always a good feeling. The one against Michael [Van Gerwen] was probably the biggest shot I've hit this year (fifth leg 141 checkout). It was good to see Michael battling again. Then to get past Jonny [Clayton] and past Luke, I think the next two weeks are going to be very interesting and I'll be watching along.

"Obviously beating them [Humphries, Van Gerwen] numerous times in last-leg deciders over the years helps me. It might be in their heads: 'Hang on a minute, it's me against Luke Littler in another last-leg decider'.

"I might already have won over them before that leg even starts. Ever since the JDC (Junior Darts Corporation) days, I've always backed myself, and I think I produce really well in deciding legs.

"Whether you beat them comfortably or in a last leg, it's always on the mind.

"Obviously the record with Gezzy [Gerwen Price] is a pretty even one, and me and Luke [Humphries] beat each other all the time, same with me and Michael. But if I keep getting these wins week in, week out, it gives me a lot of confidence. Then when they next face me, they know they've got to produce even better."

Thursday night saw Littler's preparations heavily disrupted too as he turned up at the venue less than an hour before his quarter-final against Van Gerwen due to being delayed in traffic.

Yet, the double reigning world champion managed to push through to claim three more victories. And he did so despite the fact he is not practising at the moment.

"I think I'm playing very well," Littler says. "The last three weeks have been wins, and that's all down to me and the right preparation.

"I can say when I've been at home, I've not really been practising, but that's just what I do. I'll turn up here, have a few hours if that, and then produce it on stage.

"I think the most nightly wins is definitely one to go for. It's a long old night with the three games, but I've done it numerous times before. Hopefully I can break my own record.

"I think it's [booing] always going to come, and this is what I've got to do, just keep winning and keep winning. Eventually, hopefully they'll get bored of me because nothing's really working. Ever since Rotterdam, even tonight, there were a few boos, but nothing will ever top that. I think I can battle past anything now."

Who will win this year's Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday until May on Your Site. .

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