Luke Littler marked his return to the European Tour with a title after winning the Czech Darts Open, beating his great rival Luke Humphries in the final.
Littler has been managing his schedule this year and has not played a Euro event since the Belgian Darts Open in March.
But winning trophies is an insatiable habit for the 19-year-old and he ended Humphries’ reign in Prague with a 8-6 victory in the final, having earlier beaten Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final.
Humphries had not lost in this tournament since 2023 but Littler is his nemesis and now has a strong grip on their enduring rivalry.
The world champion claimed a sixth European Tour title, in just his 16th event, and he takes home a £35,000 prize.
“It’s what the fans deserved, obviously the two best going at it in a final once again. I’m glad I’ve won,” Littler said.
“I’m glad I can put my name over there (on the honours board). It’s good to be back.
“The rust has definitely gone, I am just happy to be back on stage, back in front of fans, back playing.”
With his place in October’s European Championship finals guaranteed – the final major title Littler has yet to win – he is not expecting to play in any of the three remaining regular Euro tour events.
“Not sure now I’ve won this one. I think I think I’ve secured my place in Dortmund,” he said. “Dortmund’s obviously the one I’m chasing.
“And then in two weeks’ time, it’s the World Series in Amsterdam. Yeah, we’ll have to see what happens, see what the plan is, see how busy I am.”
Despite sweltering temperatures inside the arena in Prague, Littler kept his cool throughout, starting off his day with a last-16 win over Krzysztof Ratajski.
He then whitewashed Danny Noppert 6-0 in the quarter-final before ousting Van Gerwen 7-3 in the last four.
Humphries is always a tough task, though, and, chasing a third successive title in Prague, the world number two led 4-3.
But Littler rattled off four successive legs to take control and then got the job done.
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