‘Is he doing that to rub Van Gerwen’s nose in it?’ – Sky Sports commentator questions Littler after surprise checkout

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LUKE LITTLER’s unusual checkout route was questioned by Sky Sports commentators.

Following an emphatic early start to the World Darts Championship final, Littler found himself 3-0 ahead in sets.

Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler shake hands before a darts championship final.
Luke Littler was questioned on one unusual checkout by Sky Sports commentators during the World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler celebrates at the World Darts Championship.
Littler raced into a 3-0 lead over Michael van Gerwen

However, in the first leg of the fourth set of the match, Littler took an unusual route to checkout.

The Nuke needed 70 to win the leg.

And to do so, Littler went for the bullseye before hitting a double 10.

Seeing this strange pathway, Sky commentator John Part said: “What a slap that is in the face of Michael van Gerwen?”

Co-commentator Dan Dawson then said: “Is he rubbing Van Gerwen’s nose in it?”

Fans on social media were also quick to notice the unorthodox path Littler had taken.

One viewer said: “Littler taking the p*** with that 70 checkout.”

A second said: “That 70 checkout from Littler is phenomenal.”

A third said: “That jimmy-rustling 70 checkout, Littler has him on toast.”

Littler, 17, went on to win the fourth set 3-1.

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And entering the fifth set, Part added: “It’s almost like a cat toying with a mouse. This is cruel stuff.”

However, three-time champion Van Gerwen pulled back the fifth set to make it 4-1.

But Littler then responded by restoring his four-set cushion after going to the wire in set six.

Van Gerwen hit back again to win two more sets and sandwich one Littler set to make it 6-3.

Littler closed in on the trophy that eluded him last year by winning two legs in a row before hitting a double 16 to close out the game and be named world champion for the first time.

He told Sky after breaking down in tears: “I can’t believe it. Honestly. I can’t believe it.

“We both played so well. I knew I needed to get off to a great start, and that’s what I did.

“Michael was right behind me the whole game.

“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. So it really is a dream come true.”

Littler hit 25 out of 45 on the doubles, an impressive 55 per cent.

He continued: “I was practising backstage on the tops and 10s (D10).

“At 2-0 up I started getting nervous but I said to myself ‘just relax’.

“I was throwing for the match but to get it over and done with was special.”

Luke Littler reacts after winning a darts championship.
Luke Littler fights back tears after his stunning win

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