Barry Hearn has highlighted two ingredients in Luke Littler’s game that make him his favourite for the World Championship.
Luke Littler burst on the scene during the 2023 World Championship, reaching the final in his debut year before bowing out to Luke Humphries.
The Nuke proved the tournament wasn’t a fluke in 2024, capturing the Premier League and the Grand Slam of Darts.
PDC founder Hearn has named Littler as his favourite for the Alexandra Palace tournament in December due to two things in his game he’s spotted.
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Barry Hearn highlights Luke Littler’s consistency ahead of World Championship
Barry Hearn has been full of praise for Luke Littler in 2024 and he’s tipped The Nuke to win his first-ever World Championship on New Year’s Day.
Hearn told Talksport “I think he has a great chance.”
Hearn said Littler’s regular high standard and his ability to find victory from the jaws of defeat make him a danger at Alexandra Palace.
The PDC founder said: “You can never say for sure, but he would be my favourite to win simply on his consistency and the fact that he’s got these extra two or three gears, but when required.
“I mean his match against Anderson and the semi-finals of the Grand Slam was one of the great games.
“Anderson is a super, great all-time great player, and the fact that he was four down and reeled off? Yeah. Yeah, that’s special. That’s special.”
The World Championship starts on December 15 with the draw taking place on November 25.
Luke Littler will smash record with win
If Littler should go all the way at the Alexandra Palace event, he’ll once again swipe a record from Michael van Gerwen.
The Nuke has smashed countless average records across major tournaments this year, but a win at the World Champion will make him the youngest winner by seven years.
van Gerwen’s 7-4 win over Peter Wright in the final at 24 in 2014 is the current record and Littler’s age gives him every chance of smashing that, in 2025 or not.