Luke Littler’s fairytale goes on as 16-year-old beats legend Michael van Gerwen to win first pro title after NINE-DARTER

BOY WONDER Luke Littler began life as a professional darts player with silverware and by becoming the youngest person to hit a televised NINE-DARTER.

The oche sensation, 16, earned an early birthday present by beating three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in the final of the Bahrain Darts Masters.

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Luke Littler won his first-ever PDC tournament as a pro[/caption]

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He also hit a nine-darter earlier in the evening during his quarter-final in Bahrain[/caption]

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Littler is fast-becoming the sport’s biggest name[/caption]

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It is his first senior title, achieved incredibly on his debut appearance on the World Series of Darts circuit, for which he will earn £20,000.

And to overcome world No2 Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, in such clinical manner is a seismic result for the sport.

Littler, who turns 17 years old on Sunday, has showcased more evidence of his prodigious talent by sweeping aside everyone in front of him in the Middle East nation.

In the quarter-finals, Littler opened up with a nine-darter in his 6-3 win over practice partner Nathan Aspinall – his moment of perfection occurred in just his TENTH leg as a full-time star on the PDC circuit.

After eliminating world No5 Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the semi-finals – during which he reeled in a 170 Big Fish checkout and did some showboating – he continued his excellent form against Mighty Mike.

This is likely to be the start of an epic rivalry between two generational talents.

Littler, who lost to Luke Humphries in the World Darts final at Ally Pally, is beginning life on the permanent circuit this month.

And he has fully justified the decision to hand him a wildcard for this invitational tournament.

Following his win over Van Gerwen, Littler said: “What have I done? You tell me. I don’t know. I’m happy to win.

“Earlier on in the quarters, I hit the nine darter against Nathan. I played well yesterday and played well again tonight.

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“No-one probably believes me but I have not thrown a dart since the world final. Thursday was the first proper practice I have put in.

“It has all paid off. I am just happy to win. Michael is still one of the best. He is the very best. I am just happy to win on my debut.

“It has been unbelievable this week. Us eight in the Premier League and the eight Asian qualifiers, who were brilliant as well. But I am happy to come out as the winner.

“I haven’t really set any goals this year. I didn’t expect to pick up this trophy this week. It has been good to come here, with great people, a great crowd on my side.

“I am just happy. There are no goals this year, I’ll just see what my darts do.”

Littler’s appearances in the 17-week Premier League will also electrify a competition that had started to stagnate a bit in recent years.

The Warrington thrower has eclipsed Van Gerwen’s record as the youngest person to celebrate a nine-darter at senior level.

Only Littler and Phil Taylor [in Sydney in 2015] have hit perfect legs in the 12-year history of the World Series of Darts.

Speaking after his moment of history, Littler said: “Well after I hit it, Nathan said: ‘It’s only a hold of throw!’ I played really well there.

“It’s good to get one on TV. The first one of the year goes to me.

“I hope the list continues. I hope hit a few more. I never think about losing. I only think about winning.”

No1 seed Humphries lost for the first time in 21 games as he was bundled out of the last-eight 6-4 by Price.

Cool Hand Luke had not been beaten since late October during which time he won the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, the Players Championship Finals in Minehead and, of course, a maiden world crown in London.