Luke Littler delighted Phil Taylor with his attitude to prize money before his maiden Grand Slam of Darts triumph. The Nuke stormed to victory in Wolverhampton 12 months ago before becoming the PDC’s youngest-ever world champion less than two months later.
The 18-year-old is on course to defend his Grand Slam crown after cruising through his group with three wins out of three. He faces rising Dutch star Wessel Nijman in the second round on Thursday. One of Littler’s heroes growing up was 16-time world champion Taylor. Before last year’s Grand Slam, the Target Darts-backed pair met at an event, which gave the Power an insight into how the teenager ticked.
Taylor was left impressed by Littler’s down-to-earth nature, telling talkSPORT: “I’ve seen players come and go over the years. It’s a matter of being dedicated. Money isn’t his motivation, believe it or not, he isn’t really that bothered.
“I was with him a couple of weeks ago down at Target, and he just plays on his game. He is a typical teenager and he isn’t motivated by prize money.
“It’s great, don’t get me wrong, and he’s secure. He’s more interested in looking after his mother and father in tournaments.
“It’s lovely to see, because I’ve seen so many players where they start earning money and that ruins their career then. But this lad, he just sits there, he’s quiet as a mouse. He’s lovely company to be with, to be honest.”
Since becoming world champion, Littler has won the UK Open, the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix. If he wins the Grand Slam, it will see him defend a major title for the first time.
It would also make him the world No.1, replacing 2024 world champion Luke Humphries. Even if Littler doesn’t win the tournament, he will take over top spot if Humphries fails to. Cool Hand faces Jurjen van der Velde in the second round on Wednesday.
On the prospect of topping the world rankings, Littler, who has won almost £2million in prize money in less than two years, said: “Until I get that world No.1 spot, I will never call myself the best in the world.
“I don’t want to think about it too much, but I could be world No.1 before the World Championship.”