LUKE LITTLER has highlighted the significance of a “crucial match” in his quest to become the youngest PDC world champion in history.

The 17-year-old emerged victorious against three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 on Friday night during his second Ally Pally final in his first year as a professional.

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However, Littler quickly reflected that his win before Christmas against world No.60 Ryan Meikle was the most daunting challenge he encountered.

Following his victory over MVG, Littler remarked: “I indicated in interviews that it was essential to start strong, and that’s exactly what I did.

“Michael was closely behind me, matching my performance throughout.

“The first match against Ryan Meikle was the one that truly mattered. My confidence grew as the tournament advanced.

“Being ahead 2-0 made me slightly nervous, but I reminded myself to remain calm. The pressure to finish made that moment unforgettable.”

Littler was overwhelmed with emotion after a thrilling 3-1 win over 28-year-old barber Meikle in the second round on December 21.

The young star was brought to tears and found it challenging to articulate his feelings when interviewed by Sky Sports after the match.

He then embraced his parents, Lisa and Anthony Buckley, burying his face in their arms.

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Littler later acknowledged that the intense nerves regarding a possible early exit affected him more than he understood, especially since he entered the tournament as a favorite.

When asked about this, Littler replied: “The week before, I was eager to perform on stage without feeling nervous.”

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“The train journey here was uneventful; I was just being myself.

“But as soon as I stepped onto that stage, it felt like, ‘I don’t want to be here.’ It all came crashing down on me mentally.”

Littler continued to move forward, defeating Ian White and narrowly beating Ryan Joyce before decisively outplaying Nathan Aspinall.

He then easily overcame Liverpool supporter Stephen Bunting in the semi-finals, showcasing his talent against MVG in the finals.

Littler, who has earned over £1.5 million in prize earnings since turning professional in January 2024, was awarded the trophy by six-time Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy, who is currently battling Stage Four prostate cancer.

Luke Littler prize money breakdown

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the prize money Luke Littler has secured following his victory as the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship champion:

World Championship 2025 – £500,000

World Championship 2024 – £200,000

Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000

European Tour – £91,000

Player Championships events – £71,500

Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000

UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500

World Matchplay – £10,000

World Grand Prix – £7,500

European Championship – £7,500

(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000

TOTAL: £1.43 million