Luke Littler and other participants are gearing up for a lucrative opportunity in Riyadh next week, where they stand to win a substantial $200,000 (£149,000) prize by achieving a nine-dart finish followed by hitting the ‘golden bull’ target.
The inaugural World Series of Darts event in Saudi Arabia will feature a showdown between eight PDC Tour players and eight representatives from the Asian Tour. The high-stakes two-day tournament commences on Monday, promising a significant payday for the successful contender.
The prize pot for achieving a nine-dart finish is set at $100,000 (£74,700), with the added twist of a unique opportunity to double the winnings by hitting the ‘golden bull’ with a single dart. This unprecedented prize purse for a perfect nine-dart finish has captured the attention of players like Littler.
The 18-year-old sensation recently made headlines by clinching a record-breaking £1 million prize at the World Championship. Following this triumph, he secured a lucrative long-term deal worth £20 million with his darts sponsor. Littler’s exceptional performance in the 2024 World Series event in Bahrain, where he threw nine perfect darts, has set high expectations for his upcoming matches.
The new incentive introduced in darts mirrors the innovative approach seen in the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, featuring the intriguing “Riyadh Season golden ball” challenge with a bonus of $1 million (£760,000) for achieving a groundbreaking 167 break.
During each frame of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, the golden ‘Riyadh Season ball’ is strategically placed on the baulk cushion, aligning with key spots on the table. Its presence continues until a maximum break of 147 becomes unattainable for either player, after which it is removed until the following frame.
Former World Championship semi-finalist Mark Webster highlighted on ITV 4 the significant rewards awaiting players achieving a nine-dart finish, emphasizing the potential $200,000 prize for hitting ten perfect darts.
Littler will be accompanied by a lineup of talented players including Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, and Danny Noppert in Riyadh. The ongoing Bahrain Masters, the first event post Littler’s double world championship win, showcases the prowess of these top players as they advance through the rounds.
</p