RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Luke Littler capped off a remarkable title defence at the World Matchplay Darts with an impressive 18-9 victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. <p>Littler fired an 111.53 average and nailed 12 maximums in a dominant display against the 2022 runner-up, posting six ton-plus finishes in a high-scoring final to become just the fourth player in history to win back-to-back World Matchplay titles.</p><p>The winning margin looked set to be larger when Littler raced into an 11-3 lead, with Price - who averaged 104.97 in his performance of the tournament - delivering a battling display but falling to his second runner-up finish in four years.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/live-blog/12288/13567119/world-matchplay-darts-final-luke-littler-v-gerwyn-price-live-latest-scores-updates-highlights-from-blackpool"><strong>World Matchplay Darts final recap: As it happened! </strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13561989/betfred-world-matchplay-2026-luke-littler-michael-van-gerwen-gary-anderson-routes-to-final-as-draw-and-schedule-confirmed"><strong>Latest World Matchplay Darts results, schedule</strong></a> 📅</li><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchDartsApp" target="_blank">Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app </a></strong>📱</li><li><strong><a href="http://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW</a></strong> 📺</li></ul><widget id="3"></widget><p>The 19-year-old averaged 109 or better in all five matches during his perfect week at the Winter Gardens and smashed the tournament scoring record, previously set by Phil Taylor in 2010, leaving Littler continuing his run of winning every PDC TV major in 2026.</p><p>Littler broke his own tournament record for most 180s and extended his lead at the top of the PDC rankings by reclaiming the Phil Taylor Trophy and £225,000 first prize, having broken the £3m barrier during his run to the final, with the latest win enhancing his hopes of sweeping every ranked major in a calendar year.</p> <widget id="8"></widget><h3><strong>How Littler closed out historic title</strong></h3><p>Price said ahead of the final that he felt like he could beat Littler with his A-game, although the 'Ice Man' couldn't come close to his opponent during a historic final.</p><p>The first three legs went with throw before Littler followed a sensational 167 checkout - his first bullseye finish of this year's tournament - by taking out 110 to hold throw in the next, opening a 4-1 lead despite Price averaging over 109 in the mini session.</p> <widget id="4"></widget><p>Littler added back-to-back 11 darters and responded to Price holding throw in the next by taking out tops-tops for a third ton-plus finish in the first nine legs, then pulled further ahead in an extraordinary scoring burst.</p><p>The world No 1 posted 128 and 127 finishes and took just 47 darts to breeze through a dominant four-leg streak, lifting him 11-3 ahead, although Price dug in by winning successive legs to try and spark a comeback.</p> <widget id="5"></widget><p>Price stayed within six legs of Littler before the 19-year-old produced another devastating late surge, firing in a stunning 148 checkout before breaking throw in the following leg. Littler then sealed a historic victory in style, pinning an 81 finish on the bullseye.</p><p>Victory is Littler's 10th consecutive win over Price and 28th consecutive win at PDC major matches over 20 legs, a run stretching back to the 2024 World Championship final, with the world No 1's record-breaking display sending an ominous warning to his rivals heading into the rest of the season.</p> <widget id="6"></widget><h3><strong>Price praises 'one in a million' Littler</strong></h3><p>Littler, <em>speaking to Sky Sports</em>: "It has been a crazy week - it has been one of the best weeks of my life. The darts I have played - it has not been easy. The stats may look like it is easy but when you are on this stage, it is hot, it is not easy.</p><p>"I have played some of the best darts of my life. I feel like it is the best version of myself - I have just been playing so well!</p> <widget id="9"></widget><p>Price, <em>speaking to Sky Sports</em>: "Luke [Littler] is one in a million. I think I played pretty decent. In that game I missed a couple of opportunities but the bull checkouts, the 167, was a big turning point even though it was early in the game.</p><p>"If anyone wants to boo this kid there is something wrong with them. He is fantastic for this sport. I wish he wasn't as good as he was, because I would have won a couple more tournaments.</p> <widget id="7"></widget><p>"I probably could have pinched a few more legs but his finishing was just effortless. I hope there is nobody else like him coming through, because he is ridiculous! It was a great week for me but I am a little bit gutted!"</p><h2>What's next?</h2><p>The next PDC ranked TV major is the BoyleSports World Grand Prix from September 28-October 4 at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester, <em>live on Sky Sports</em>. Littler returns as defending champion after last year's victory over Luke Humphries in the double in, double out event.</p><p>The Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (November 14-22) and the World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) are also both live on Sky Sports, with Littler looking to retain his titles in both events. <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank"><strong>Stream darts and more top sport with no contract.</strong></a></p>
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