LUKE LITTLER made a triumphant return to the Euro Tour after a six-month self-imposed break as he became the Prince of Prague.
For the first time in the annual continental series, Littler met rival and sparring partner Luke Humphries in a final.
Luke Littler made a triumphant return to the Euro Tour after a six-month self-imposed break Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Littler beat Luke Humphries 8-6 for the £35,000 top prize at the Czech Darts Open Credit: Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC Europe
And his hoodoo over Cool Hand Luke continued as he won 8-6 for the £35,000 top prize at the Czech Darts Open.
Watched on by girlfriend Faith, the Nuke was playing in his first event on the European Tour since March, having decided to take many weekends off.
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But once more he showed why he is the world’s best – “I’m back with a bang,” he roared – collecting a sixth title on the continent and 30th overall PDC tournament victory.
Littler – who averaged 95.25 and hit a 130 checkout – has done enough to qualify for the European Championship next month in Dortmund.
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This is the one televised major that is missing from his CV and he may skip next weekend’s Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp.
Littler said: “It was a good game. We did the best we could. It had been a long day. We played in the afternoon, waiting around for tonight.
“Maybe it could have gone all the way [to a last leg] but I didn’t want it to. I know I have to get myself back into the game when behind. I have to find it all again. The start of the match was very good and then we drifted off.
“It has been a long summer but the fans, this is what we are in for, me and Luke are back.
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“It’s what the crowd deserved, the two best going at it in a final once again.
“I am glad I have won, I am glad I can put my name over there [on the wall]. The fans have been very good. Brilliant. It’s good to be back and I am back with a bang.”
Humphries – who had considered pulling out on Thursday – had been the Czech champion in 2022, 2024 and 2025 and coming into the final, he had won 21 of his 22 matches in the Czech capital.
But the former world darts champion – who earned £15,000 prize money for being a finalist – was unable to get one over his biggest foe.
Humphries, 31, said: “It was close. It was so hot up there. We tried our best, it was really tough. It was a close game. It was probably one of our worst finals. Not the worst, but one of them.
“We usually hit a high standard, over 100 average. That was tough. It’s tough for me to have this runner-up trophy. It’s been a great run.
“Four out of five finals, to be up on that wall there three times is amazing for me.
“I was going to pull out Thursday and then I made the final. I cannot be too upset with myself. The fans are amazing. That’s why I will be here every year.
“It’s my favourite Euro Tour on the whole calendar, they are so respectful, so amazing, no whistling the entire weekend. It’s perfect and darts deserves to be here more than anything.”
