LUKE Littler acknowledges his rapid rise to the darting elite has put a target on his back as he seeks his first nightly win in this year’s PDC Premier League.
However, the Warringtonian sensation insists that will not put him off his stride.
The Premier League Darts roadshow rolls into Nottingham for Night Seven tonight, with Littler facing the tough prospect of taking on competition leader Michael Van Gerwen in the quarter-finals.
The Dutchman has won both of their Premier League meetings this year on last-leg deciders on his way to three nightly wins to put him clear at the top of the table, with Littler on his heels in third.
Teenager Littler has reached the semi-finals in all but one of the six nights thus far but is not putting too much pressure on himself to go all the way.
“I’m really enjoying the Premier League,” admitted Littler, a winner of three PDC titles in 2024, including last weekend’s Belgian Darts Open.
“It’s all about winning that first game and getting two points on the board, but hopefully I can win a night soon!
“Ever since I’ve burst on to the scene, every player wants to beat me, so I’ve got to play my A-game.
“I know the spotlight is on me at the minute, but that's because I've done so well, so I will just play my darts and do what I do.”
Luke Littler set for Madison Square Garden
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Littler will compete in America for the first time at a tournament held at the world’s most iconic indoor arena – New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Littler and his fellow Premier League competitors will be the PDC’s representatives at the US Darts Masters tournament, held over the weekend of May 31-June 1.
He will be bidding for his second World Series of Darts title having scooped the Bahrain Darts Masters trophy back in January as the eight PDC representatives go up against eight North American players.
The tournament could see him face Canada’s Matt Campbell, over whom he recorded a 4-1 third-round victory as part of his memorable run to the World Darts Championship final last year.
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