Luke Littler admits money would motivate his bid to beat Phil Taylor’s record

Luke Littler admits money is likely to be the main motivating factor in his long-term quest to surpass Phil Taylor’s record tally of 16 world titles.

The 18-year-old claimed his first World Championship crown by beating Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in January.

Taylor – widely regarded as the greatest darts player of all time – was 29 when he won the first world title of his glittering career, in 1990, with his final triumph coming in 2013 at the age of 52.

Littler suggested boyhood idol Taylor would “struggle” with the competition in the modern era.

“There’s a record there to be broken, but it’s going to take some doing,” he said, speaking with Gary Neville, Ian Wright, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane and Jill Scott on the Stick to Football podcast.

“He (Taylor) also won the World Matchplay 16 times, so he’s won two of the big majors 16 times – it’ll take some doing.

“It (the competition) is a lot better now. You still had Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow – it was still a good field but nowadays, I think Phil would struggle.”

Since becoming world champion, Littler has maintained his form by winning the UK Open, while he sits eight points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of week nine in Berlin.

Asked what would drive him to continue playing long enough to overhaul Taylor’s achievements, Littler replied: “Probably just the money, to be fair.

“Phil Taylor was my idol. If I can be bothered to stay around for that time (I could maybe beat his record). If I want to (continue playing), then I will.”

Littler has transcended darts since bursting on to the scene at the end of 2023.

The Warrington teenager, who has set up his own academy, admits he rarely practises amid the sport’s packed schedule.

“Some people practise, but I barely practise,” he said.

“We have the Premier League on a Thursday and then usually on the Friday we’ll fly to Germany or Belgium for a European tour and then we’ll play Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

“On Monday and Tuesday, we tend to have pro tours and then back to the Premier League on a Thursday. My practise is playing in these tournaments every week.”