Luke Littler reveals side hustle trip led to late Premier League Darts arrival before moving to verge of new record

Luke Littler won his third straight night of Premier League Darts on Thursday to near a new record – but he almost didn’t make it.

The 19-year-old beat Luke Humphries in the final in Leeds to claim his sixth nightly win of the campaign and extend his advantage.

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It means that with two events left to play before Finals Night, Littler is on the brink of setting a fresh Premier League record.

Currently, the reigning world champion has the most ever wins in the competition in a single season, with six to his name.

So, if he wins one more this month, he’ll make some history again.

Littler is now thriving in the Premier League after a slow start, however, his latest victory in Leeds almost never happened.

He came very close to missing the start of the event after getting stuck in traffic on his way to the First Direct Arena.

The World No.1 arrived just 15 minutes before the opening game, having left his house late and getting stuck on the M62.

“I was hoping I would make it on time for the bull,” Littler said after beating Humphries in the final. “The traffic is what it is. I wanted to be early to get some practice in.”

Littler then went on to explain his late arrival further in his press conference, admitting that it was partly his fault as he was sending off some sports cards to keep up his side hustle.

He said: “I came straight from home. We were supposed to leave at three, but I wasn’t ready, Faith wasn’t ready, and we were rushing around.

“Then we went to the post office to send some cards off from eBay — getting all the shipping and tracking sorted.

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“That’s why we were almost late, but we got here in time.”

He added: “I was driving! It was a bit reckless, but I had to get here.

“The timing on the sat-nav just kept going up and up. We got here about 6:40, 6:45, so it all worked out well.”

Eyeing another record

As mentioned, Littler managed to overcome his late arrival to win his sixth night of this season’s Premier League Darts.

And he’s now just one more victory away from breaking his own record and becoming the first person to win seven nights.

Speaking about that post-match, he said: “A very good night. I’m very happy with myself. I can go on to break my own record. 

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“It was crucial seeing Luke miss for the match and then me pouncing on it. Luke broke me and I broke back.

“Another good game between me and Luke. 

“When you go into the lead, you just focus on yourself. Going throw by throw. It’s a case of trying to hold your throw. 

“I’ve just got to keep going. My record is now up for grabs.

“The win against Jonny [Clayton], I knew I was a few points clear. I’ve got to keep top spot.”

Littler is now five points clear at the top of the Premier League Darts table, with him and Clayton already through to Finals Night.

He will next be in action on Thursday, May 14 in Birmingham.