This Week In Darts – 16th Of February 2024

PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS

In a highly anticipated darts match, Michael van Gerwen faced off against Luke Littler, delivering an intense and captivating performance.

Van Gerwen, with his vast experience and remarkable skill set, took an early lead, demonstrating precision and consistency at the oche. His ability to hit crucial checkouts and maintain a high scoring pace set the tone for the evening.

Luke Littler, the promising young talent, did not make it easy, responding with impressive scores and several maximums that kept the match competitive. Despite Littler’s efforts and moments of brilliance, Van Gerwen’s expertise and strategic play ultimately secured him the win.

The match concluded with Van Gerwen edging out Littler in a closely contested game, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s elite players.

This showdown not only highlighted Van Gerwen’s continued dominance but also showcased Littler’s potential and determination, promising exciting future matchups.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS AND LOOKING FORWARD

The ongoing BetMGM Premier League has been a battleground for dart’s finest, with Luke Littler’s nine-darter, Michael Smith’s 6-2 defeat of Gerwyn Prince in Cardiff and Michael van Gerwen’s nail-biting victory in Berlin, which saw the Dutchman punishing two miss matched darts from 17-year-old sensation Luke Littler to take a narrow 6-5 win.

These are just some of the most electrifying moments from the event, each a testament to the skill, precision and drama that define professional darts at its very best. Each match brought its own unique flair to the league, making this season one of the most memorable in recent history.

Night Five of the event takes place Thursday, February 29th at Westpoint Exeter, which will air on Sky Sports beginning at 7pm GMT. Set your DVR’s accordingly.

SPONSORSHIP DEALS

In a significant development for the darts world, the PDC has announced that betting firm Ladbrokes will serve as the new title sponsor for both the UK Open and Players Championship Finals.

This partnership marks the beginning of a thrilling chapter for both entities, promising both enhanced exposure and potentially transforming the competitive landscape. The deal not only elevates the prestige of the tournament, but also signifies Ladbrokes’ strong commitment to supporting the growth of professional darts.

The 2024 UK Open is slated to be held from March 1st to 3rd at the Butlins resort in Minehead, England. The Players Championship Finals will be hosted November 22nd to 24th at the same location. Ladbroke’s branding will be present across both of these events, which rank among some of the highest profiles on the PDC calendar.

RISING STARS

Luke Littler continued his remarkable rise in the Players Championship this week, hitting yet another nine-darter on Monday en route to winning his first ranking title on debut.

The 17-year-old phenomenon achieved this impressive feat for the second time against Michele Turetta in Wigan. He would later miss a shot at double 12 for his second nine-darter of the day, dispatching Cameron Menzies 6-2 to move into the quarter-finals at the Robin Park Tennis Centre.

In addition to beating Jim Williams 6-1, Littler went on to defeat James Hurrell and Alan Soutar before edging Ryan Searle 8-7 in a pulse pounding final to claim Players Championship glory.

“I know my game is there,” Littler later told the official PDC website. “I know I can beat anyone and I’m really happy to have won.”

“I want to try and qualify for everything,” he continued. “I’ve just got to play my game. I’m taking it in my stride. It takes a huge pressure off me and now hopefully I can settle and enjoy it.”

WOMEN IN DARTS

It is no secret that the world of professional darts is witnessing the rise of female players who are not just participating, but making significant impacts on the sport.

Performances from recent athletes like Fallon Sherrock, who became the first female player to hit a televised nine-darter last fall, to Beau Greaves clenching her second WDF World Championship title late last year with a win at Lakeside, the performance and skill of these female players in recent tournaments has been extraordinary.

Highlighting their skill and determination to compete at the very highest of levels, these athletes are not only daring to challenge the status quo, but also inspiring an entirely new generation of players.