Saudi Darts Championship: Luke Littler wins the inaugural event, defeating Michael van Gerwen

Luke Littler won the inaugural Saudi Darts Championship with an 8-5 demolition of Michael van Gerwen in the final.

Littler, who turns 19 on Wednesday, took control of the match as he took a 4-0 lead over the Dutchman.

Van Gerwen was able to move within one leg of Letellier while trailing 4-3 and 5-4 but was unable to get back into contention.

Littler averaged 104.84, with a much higher pay rate (61.5%) than Van Gerwen (45.5%).

“Obviously things didn’t go well in Bahrain last week, but I’m really happy to be coming to Saudi Arabia for the first time and to be the first winner,” Littler told ITV4.

“Michael came back into it so I had to get my form back but I’m really happy with the win. As players coming here, we didn’t know what to expect but there was a great turnout.”

Van Gerwen, who averaged 101.79 but bowled 180s to Littler’s six, admitted the Warrington teenager’s fast start made it difficult for him.

The 36-year-old added: “Being 4-0 down at the start of the match didn’t really help me, but I always keep fighting.”

“Fair play to him [Littler]. He had a great tournament. Sometimes you have to take it on the chin and move on.”

Players were offered a $200,000 (£149,400) bonus if they could produce nine quarters but none of the competitors managed the feat.

The two-day event, which featured some of the best players in the world, was the first of its kind to be held in Saudi Arabia, which has strict regulations on prohibiting the consumption of alcohol.

It was part of the World Darts Championships, held at the 1,000-capacity World Theater in Riyadh.

Nathan Aspinall, who was knocked out in the semi-finals by Littler, said earlier in the day that the crowds at the event “were not there on their own”.

A PDC spokesperson told BBC Sport that the organization was “delighted to see such strong interest” in the Saudi event, and Aspinall’s comments were “reflective of the fact that this was the first darts event of its kind in the region”.

The spokesman said all spectators attended as ticket holders or guests, adding: “As with any new market, the atmosphere and crowd composition can differ from established darts events such as those in the UK and Europe.”

Saudi Arabia has organized several major sporting events in recent years, including Formula 1 and golf, and will host the men’s World Cup in 2034.

But the regime has been criticized for its human rights record and environmental impact.