Luke Littler and his competitors are gearing up for a shot at a $200,000 (£149,000) prize if they can achieve a nine-dart finish followed by hitting the ‘golden bull’ in Riyadh next week. The World Series of Darts is making its debut in Saudi Arabia, bringing together eight PDC Tour representatives against eight Asian Tour representatives in a lucrative two-day tournament starting on Monday.
In this high-stakes event, a player who completes a nine-dart finish will secure a $100,000 (£74,700) reward and then have the opportunity to double it by hitting a single ‘golden’ dart at the bullseye. This potential prize is the largest ever offered in the sport for a nine-dart finish, making it a tantalizing prospect for Littler and his fellow competitors.
Having recently claimed a record-breaking £1 million prize for winning the World Championship and securing a lucrative long-term contract worth £20 million, Littler, an 18-year-old darts prodigy, is no stranger to success. With a history of throwing perfect darts, including achieving a nine-dart finish in the World Series event in Bahrain in 2024, Littler is honing his skills for the upcoming competition.
This new incentive in darts mirrors the format adopted by the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, which features the “Riyadh Season golden ball” – a 20-point golden cue ball that can lead to a $1 million (£760,000) bonus if a player achieves the sport’s first-ever 167 break.
Former World Championship semi-finalist Mark Webster highlighted the potential rewards awaiting players in Riyadh, emphasizing the allure of earning $200,000 for a flawless performance. The competitive field in Riyadh will include top players like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price, among others.
As Littler and his fellow competitors participate in the Bahrain Masters, the excitement builds for their upcoming challenge in Riyadh. Littler’s impressive victories, including a memorable 170 ‘Big Fish’ check-out, have set the stage for an intense competition where players aim for perfection and substantial rewards.