Luke Littler beat rival Luke Humphries to win on his return to the European Tour at the Czech Darts Open in Prague.
Littler had not played on a European tour since March, but gloried in an 8-6 victory in Sunday night’s final to end his opponent’s hopes of winning the title for the third consecutive year.
Littler hit five 180s and averaged just over 95 as both players battled the heat at PVA EXPO after a long day that had already seen The Nuke beat Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals, Danny Noppert in the quarter-finals and Krzysztof Ratajski in the last 16.
“It’s good to be back and I’m back with a bang,” Littler said after his win.
World No. 1 Littler won the first two games against World No. 2 Humphries in Sunday’s final, only to see his rival, who has reached four of the last five finals at this tournament, swing from three legs straight to take the lead.
Littler fought back to go ahead by 130 points in the ninth game – the biggest finish of the game – and then won the next two games to go ahead 7-4 in a contest of eight.
Humphries rallied to win the next two games and was millimeters away from sending the game to a decider as he planted two darts on D16.
Littler recovered to score D10 to win this tournament for the first time, taking home the £35,000 first prize and guaranteeing his place at the European Championships in Dortmund in October.
It is one of the titles Littler wants to win as he eyes a clean sweep of major trophies in 2026 – and it means he is unlikely to play in any other regular European Tour events this season.
“I’m not sure I’ve earned this now,” he explained. “I think I’ve secured my place at Dortmund. That’s definitely who I’m chasing.
“In two weeks it’s the World Series in Amsterdam. We’ll have to see what happens, what the plan is and how busy I am.”
Humphries had beaten Gerwyn Price, William O’Connor and Andrew Gilding earlier on Sunday to reach the final for the third consecutive year, but he was not upset at missing out on a three-peat.
“I can’t be upset. “The two darts I threw at D16 were on the wire and if that goes in, it could have been a different game.
“That’s the way it goes. He’s a fantastic player. I’ve played here and there, not so good. Maybe good at times. I’ve got to dedicate my life a little bit more to getting better and keep pushing it.
“I keep saying I’m not going to beat him in the final, so I have to change things up to keep matching him.
“I think he enjoys the challenge and I do too. Hopefully over the next four months, I’ll push him and if he makes the clean sweep (of major titles) he has to do it the hard way.”
Sunday’s Czech Darts Open results
ultimate
- Luke Humphries 6-8 Luke Littler
semifinals
- Gerwyn Price 4-7 Luke Humphries
- Michael van Gerwen 3-7 Luke Littler
The quarterfinals
- Gerwyn Price 6-4 Ross Smith
- William O’Connor 3-6 Luke Humphries
- Jonny Clayton 3-6 Michael van Gerwen
- Danny Noppert 0-6 Luke Littler
Afternoon session
- Gerwyn Price 6-1 Cameron Menzies
- Ross Smith 6-3 Gian van Veen
- William O’Connor 6-5 Josh Rock
- Luke Humphries 6-3 Andrew Gilding
- Jonny Clayton 6-4 Keane Barry
- Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Wessel Nijman
- Danny Noppert 6-5 Luke Woodhouse
- Luke Littler 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
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