GERWYN PRICE has paid tribute to Luke Littler after the 18-year-old defeated him in the Players Championship semi-finals.
World number one Littler dispatched Price 11-8 before going on to beat Nathan Aspinall in the final by the same score in Minehead.
Price impressively averaged 101 during his battle with Littler but it was still not enough to take down the world champion.
Price, himself world number nine, took to Instagram to shower praise on Luke ‘The Nuke’.
“Wow,” Price started with a clapping emoji.
“That kid doesn’t miss. Not at my best but threw everything I could at him tonight.
“I’ve played players at their best and Luke is levels above. Great for the game and great for me,” with a laughing emoji.
“Keeps me practicing. On a plus, I’m playing OK and the World [Darts Championship] is just around the corner.
“Thanks for all the great support this weekend, it’s been a pleasure.”
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Price is right – the World Darts Championship is just around the corner with action getting underway at Alexandra Palace on December 15.
The Welshman exited at the third round stage in 2024 in a shock 4-2 defeat to Brendan Dolan and lost in the quarter-finals last time around to Chris Dobey.
Littler, of course, won his first World Championship last year with a breathtaking display in the final against Michael van Gerwen after coming up short to Luke Humphries at the same stage the year prior.
It’s been a banner year for Littler and the £120k he bagged for winning last night has only enhanced it.
He officially became the youngest world number one in history last week and according to the PDC he has won just under £2 million this year.
On top of all of those accolades, Littler is also He is also the reigning two-time back-to-back Grand Slam champion and the reigning UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.
Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor dominated the competition for years with 14 wins from 25 appearances including eight in a row at one point.
The darts legend has warned Littler now that he is sitting on the mountain top, the real hardships begin.
“You get disliked for it — lots of jealousy. You’re the one winning all the money, stopping others making a good living.
“If Luke wins a million pounds by January 3rd, the players will hate him — of course they will. Everybody wants to beat him.”
