Luke Littler and his fellow competitors are gearing up for an exciting opportunity to win $200,000 (£149,000) by achieving a nine-dart finish followed by a ‘golden bull’ in Riyadh next week. This unique chance comes as the World Series of Darts makes its debut in Saudi Arabia, with eight PDC Tour representatives facing off against eight Asian Tour representatives in a high-stakes two-day tournament starting on Monday.
The prize money on offer is unprecedented, with a $100,000 (£74,700) reward for hitting a nine-darter, followed by the opportunity to double it by landing a single ‘golden’ dart on the bullseye. This significant cash prize represents a historic milestone in darts for a nine-dart finish, and Luke Littler, in particular, is eager to seize this lucrative opportunity.
Recently, the 18-year-old Luke Littler made headlines by claiming a record £1 million prize for winning the World Championship. Shortly after, he secured a lucrative contract worth £20 million over 10 years with his darts supplier. With a proven track record of throwing nine perfect darts at the World Series event in Bahrain in 2024, Littler is honing his skills for the upcoming competition.
The new darts incentive mirrors the format of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, featuring the “Riyadh Season golden ball” – a unique cue ball that can lead to a groundbreaking 167 break and a $1 million (£760,000) bonus. Placed strategically on the table during each frame, the golden ‘Riyadh Season ball’ remains in play as long as a 147 break is still achievable for either player.
Former World Championship semi-finalist Mark Webster highlighted the enticing prize structure, stating that a player who hits a nine-darter stands to win $100,000, with the chance to double it by hitting the bullseye with the next dart, totaling $200,000 for a flawless performance. The stakes are high, and achieving this feat early in the competition could set the tone for success.
Joining Littler in Riyadh are notable darts talents including Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, and Danny Noppert. Currently competing in the Bahrain Masters, Littler and his counterparts are showcasing their skills following Littler’s recent double world championship victory.
In the Bahrain Masters, Littler displayed his prowess by executing a 170 ‘Big Fish’ check-out to defeat veteran Paul Lim 6-1 and advance to the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Humphries, Van Veen, Van Gerwen, Bunting, and Aspinall also progressed to the next round, setting the stage for an intense competition in Riyadh.
