Luke Littler and his rivals are gearing up for the opportunity to claim a hefty $200,000 (£149,000) prize if they can achieve a nine-dart finish followed by hitting a ‘golden bull’ in Riyadh next week. The World Series of Darts will make its debut in Saudi Arabia, featuring eight PDC Tour players against eight representatives from the Asian Tour. This event, starting on Monday, offers a lucrative prospect for the competitors.
In this unique contest, a player who lands a nine-darter will secure a $100,000 (£74,700) reward and gets a shot at doubling it by throwing a single ‘golden’ dart at the bullseye. This challenge presents the largest prize ever offered in the sport for a nine-dart finish, sparking excitement for Littler and his fellow players.
Recently, the 18-year-old Littler made headlines by clinching a record £1 million prize for winning the World Championship. Following this triumph, he inked a substantial contract worth £20 million over a decade with his darts sponsor. Having previously thrown nine perfect darts in the World Series event in Bahrain in 2024, Littler is honing his skills for the upcoming competition.
The incentive in darts mirrors the format of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, featuring the “Riyadh Season golden ball” awarding a $1 million (£760,000) bonus for achieving the sport’s first-ever 167 break. Placed at the center of the baulk cushion at the commencement of each frame, the golden ‘Riyadh Season ball’ remains on the table until a maximum break of 147 is no longer possible for any player.
Former World Championship semi-finalist Mark Webster highlighted the attractive rewards on offer for darts players participating in Riyadh. The prospect of winning $200,000 for a flawless performance of ten darts adds to the competitive excitement of the tournament. Littler will be among the notable names competing alongside players like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and others in Riyadh.
The Bahrain Masters currently underway serves as a precursor to the Riyadh event, with Littler showcasing his prowess by defeating opponents like Paul Lim with a spectacular 170 ‘Big Fish’ check-out. The competition is heating up as Littler and his peers gear up for the upcoming darts extravaganza in Riyadh.