Brief
Luke Littler loses World Grand Prix opener to Luke Woodhouse
The defending champion fell to a 19‑year‑old in Leicester, with both players averaging just over 82.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Luke Littler, the world No.1 and defending champion, was defeated 2‑1 by 19‑year‑old Luke Woodhouse in the opening match of the World Grand Prix in Leicester on Monday. The double‑in, double‑out format saw Woodhouse win the first set 3‑1 and the second 2‑1, with Littler averaging 82.41 to Woodhouse’s 82.51.
Littler, who had returned to the oche after a quarter‑final exit to Jonny Clayton in the World Series of Darts in Amsterdam, had been booed and whistled at the Dutch event a week earlier. He had also missed recent Players Championship events in Den Bosch. Woodhouse, the world No.18 from Worcestershire, capitalised on a strong start, taking the opening leg and later holding the nerve on a double 16 in the decider to set up a deciding set.
Woodhouse sealed the win on double 12, moving ahead 2‑0 in the final set and holding off a Littler fightback. The 19‑year‑old posted a 106 checkout on a double 15 to win the first set, while Littler’s best finish was a double 15 for a 106 checkout as well.
Woodhouse will face Nathan Aspinall in the last 16 after edging Dutchman Kevin Doets 2‑1. Littler, who averaged 82.41, was one of three world champions to exit in the last 32 on Monday, alongside Rob Cross and Wessel Nijman. Michael van Gerwen also lost 2‑1 to Ryan Joyce in the last 32.
Woodhouse, who had written on social media that “Well played @lukewoody180 was a good game … Luke took his chance and nice week off now, all the best to [him] for rest of the tournament,” showed sportsmanship after the defeat.
Key facts
- Luke Littler lost 2-1 to Luke Woodhouse in the World Grand Prix opener (theguardian.com)
- Both players averaged just over 82 points per leg (theguardian.com)
- Woodhouse won the first set 3-1 and the second set 2-1 (theguardian.com)
- Littler had been booed and whistled at the Dutch event a week earlier (theguardian.com)
- Woodhouse will face Nathan Aspinall in the last 16 (theguardian.com)
Background
The match followed Littler’s quarter‑final exit to Jonny Clayton in the World Series of Darts Finals on 20 September, where Clayton stopped Littler’s clean sweep quest.
Why it matters
The defeat ended Littler’s title defence on the first day of the tournament and highlighted the rise of young talent in darts.
What happens next
Woodhouse will play Nathan Aspinall in the last 16 of the World Grand Prix.
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Luke Littler suffers shock defeat to Luke Woodhouse in World Grand Prix opener”
