Luke Littler set for whopping payday as darts wonderkid continues Ally Pally run

28 December 2023 , 07:15

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Luke Littler set for whopping payday as darts wonderkid continues Ally Pally run

Luke Littler has earned the biggest payday of his career by beating Matt Campbell in the third round of this year's PDC World Championship.

The 16-year-old is making his debut at the championships and eased into the last 16 with a comfortable win on Wednesday afternoon. He blew away Campbell, going 3-0 up on sets before going on to demolish the Canadian 4-1.

Littler dropped just six legs during the entire match, with Jim Williams or Raymond van Barneveld awaiting in the next round. The win over Campbell means he is the youngest person to ever reach this stage and also earned him a record payday.

'The Nuke' will be handed a cheque worth £35,000 for reaching the next round. His previous highest payday came when he earned two payouts of £27,500 during the Modus Super Series in Portsmouth.

If he reaches the quarter-finals, Littler will see his prize money increase to £50,000. And if the teenager does the unthinkable and lifts the Sid Waddell Trophy, he will earn a life-changing £500,000 cheque.

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Littler will have to wait until Friday afternoon before finding out who he will face in the next round. Van Barneveld has won two world championships in his career, though has endured a difficult time in recent years.

Luke Littler earned the biggest payday of his career as he reached the Last 16 of the PDC World Championship (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

If The Nuke does go on to win the tournament, he would be the first debutant to do so since Rob Cross in 2018. But the 16-year-old is keen to keep his feet on the ground despite the possibility he could face his hero on Saturday.

"Playing Raymond would be unbelievable. Win or lose, I’ll still be happy with making the last 16. I started crying when I saw my mum in the crowd. She was nervous," Littler said after his win.

"I saw her with her head in her hands. I said to her: ‘The dream continues.’ She said the same thing. I only wanted to win one game and I've won three. I've battled through it and I'm so happy.

"I just let my darts do the talking. As soon as I won that first game against Christian Kist I just settled and as soon as I went 2-0 up against Matt I tried to calm myself down because last time it didn't go too well.

"I kept composed and got over the line. I've always had it. You saw against Andrew Gilding I let loads of energy out when I went 2-0 up then he came back and won the set 3-0. It's more about just composing yourself.

"When you do win, then you can celebrate. I'll just stay in the hotel and chill out tomorrow, probably treat myself to some more shoes or pants! Then see who I play in the next round."

Jacob Leeks