Luke Littler beaten by Gerwyn Price in New York thriller as 17-year-old sensation fails to conquer America in US Masters
LUKE LITTLER failed to conquer America as the teenage sensation was downed by Gerwyn Price at the US Darts Masters.
Littler, 17, couldn’t follow up his incredible £275k Premier League victory in New York as he was defeated 7-6 in the semi-final at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
PRICE BEATS LITTLER IN A CLASSIC!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 2, 2024
Gerwyn Price survives a match dart to beat Luke Littler in a last-leg decider!
The Iceman is into the final!https://t.co/JqDVmWfQC5#USDarts | SF pic.twitter.com/kYKlfu8kKS
Warrington teen Littler was the main attraction in the City That Never Sleeps this weekend.
He was cheers to the rafters and treated his new American fans to his usual brand of magic darts.
Wrestling nut Littler took the chance to visit the WWE‘s headquarters this week.
He changed his walkout music to that of undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes for the tournament.
But, after two demolitions of Canadian opposition, in Matt Campbell and Jeff Smith, Littler was clotheslined by Price in the final four.
Price took a commanding 4-1, and then 5-2 lead in the first to seven match.
But Littler stuck in there with some expert finishing to stay in the game.
Price missed a match dart to win at 6-4, before Littler coolly took out 70 to get within one.
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Fired up Littler, inevitably, levelled the scores to send it to a deciding leg, on Price’s throw.
And the Nuke found himself with a match dart, just missing tops.
'He just eats potatoes on TikTok'
LUKE LITTLER has called out social media star Beavo for a boxing fight.
Littler, 17, has taken the world by storm after exploding on to the darts scene last Christmas.
But he’s already eyeing a switch to the boxing ring.
On a trip Stateside ahead of the US Darts Masters, Littler was asked who he’d choose to fight while appearing on Ariel Helwani’s MMA podcast.
And, waving off suggestions of Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith, he instead chose TikTok sensation Beavo.
Littler said: “It’s like a proper person, it’s not a darts player.
“Do I like him? Nah. Beavo.
“He just swallows potatoes whole on TikTok.”
Unfortunately for Littler, it proved costly as Price found the double 20 to take out 108 and secure just his second-ever win over the young sensation.
Price was to take on Rob Cross in the final, with the 2018 world champion shocking Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries to get there.
Littler will now jet off to Orlando for a well-earned break with his family.
He will be back in action in the Polish Masters on June 14.
Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has since joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
The wonderkid has now cemented his place among the tungsten elite by winning the Premier League Darts final – and the £275k top prize.
Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.