Luke Littler was cheekily asked by Mike De Decker to ‘take up bowling’ to give other darts players a chance after their Players Championship Finals clash on Sunday.
The 17-year-old has been in terrific form of late having won his first major at the Grand Slam of Darts last week.
He’s the strong favourite to clinch his 11th senior title this week at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead having averaged over 100 in every match so far.
De Decker was unable to lay a glove on Littler in their quarter-final clash on Sunday with the teenager hitting a bullseye-finish three times in the match.
Luke Littler was in high spirits after his win
ITV
Despite being off his A-game, Littler still averaged over 100 once again as he improved to 11 consecutive wins.
De Decker puffed out his cheeks in disbelief when Littler won the match with his third bullseye finish as the pair shared a warm embrace on stage.
Littler didn’t feel he was close to his best in the match, but was delighted to get the job done.
“Very happy with another good performance and I’m very happy to get through to the final stage tonight,” he told ITV.
“It was 104 [average] but it definitely didn’t feel like that. We both have slack darts but I played a better game.”
The interviewer then revealed that De Decker was walking behind them both as they prepared for their interview live on TV and said, ‘Thanks mate, I like you too’.
Littler chuckled as he was asked about their friendship and rivalry before adding: “I didn’t miss a shot at the bull, which were big opportunities in the game to go even further in front.
“He did say ‘do you want to take up bowling instead of darts’ but I was like, nah I’ll stick to darts’.”
Mike De Decker jokingly asked Luke Littler to take up a different sport
ITV
Littler will face either Ross Smith or Scott Williams for a place in the final this evening, where he could go up against world No 1 Luke Humphries.
And the teen is embracing the spotlight he’s been under as the tournament favourite.
“I’m still young and I enjoy every minute of it on the big stage and I just can’t wait until the final session tonight,” he added.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Luke Littler has enjoyed a stellar debut year as a professional
Getty
“My confidence is very high, my darts are going in so well and we’ll see what tonight brings.”
The Players Championship Finals is the penultimate event before the World Championships next month.
The draw takes place on Monday, where Littler will go in as the world No 4 after overtaking Rob Cross in the Order of Merit.