Darts results LIVE: Luke Littler WINS Austrian Open after Joe Cullen triumph, Premier League build up to Aberdeen

2000-up for Cullen

Joe Cullen had three corking consolations for defeat against Luke Littler in the Austrian Darts Open final.

Of course, the Englishman's brilliant form was one.

But in his semi-final win he also became only the fifth player ever to have played 2000 legs on the Euro Tour.

Thirdly - and to be sniffed at - Cullen rose to 15th in the world rankings.

What was the Austrian Open prize money?

Littler went home with the top prize...

Here is the full breakdown:

• Winner: £24,000
• Runner-up: £12,000
• Semi-finalists: £7,600
• Quarter-finalists: £4,800
• Last 16: £3,200
• Last 32: £1,600
• Last 64: £800
• Last 128: £400
• Total: £175,000

Darts star in line for Ally Pally return after four years

Japan darts star Seigo Asada is closing in on a return to the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace later this year.

Asada, 50, has previously qualified for the finals on three occasions - 2018, 2019 and 2020 - and could make it a fourth later this year after back-to-back titles in the inaugural Japan Tour.

The new tour features ten events and a play-off with the top 32 players at the end of the season.

Asada, a former World Cup of Darts semi-finalist, dominated on the opening weekend as he claimed top spot in the Japan Order of Merit.

Event three and four saw Mitsuhiko Tatsunami and Jun Matsuda  claim wins respectively.

There will be two more weekends of action in mid-July and early-September.

MVG 'disappointed' after Ross defeat

Michael van Gerwen has blasted his form during the Austrian Open.

The Dutchman fell to a crushing 6-1 quarter-final defeat to Ross Smith.

Taking to social media, Van Gerwen said: "Another tough loss in the quarter final in Graz today. Ross Smith played well, and I just couldn't find my rhythm.

"Disappointed with the result, but onto the next one!"

SunSport poll

Luke Littler's stock continues to rise every time he steps up to the oche.

But what do you think of him?

How does Order of Merit work?

The Order of Merit is determined by the prize money won by darts stars over a rolling 104-week period.

The top 32 players automatically qualify for the World Darts Championship.

Work of dart

Fans are still in awe of an incredible moment from Rob Collins during the Modus Super Series.

Collins beat Adam Lipscombe 4-3 on Friday but there was one feat in the fourth leg that had everyone stunned.

Collins began his visit with a standard treble 20, but it was from there where things took a turn.

He threw his second dart and it pierced the back of his first, getting stuck in its flight.

This is known in the sport as a "Robin Hood".

But what made the moment even more remarkable was that Collins' final dart then did the exact same thing as all three were caught in one another.

What's next?

Premier League Darts arrives in Aberdeen this Thursday.

The event will take place at P&J live. Here is the quarter-final line-up:

• Peter Wright v Michael Smith
• Luke Littler v Nathan Aspinall
• Michael van Gerwen v Rob Cross
• Gerwyn Price v Luke Humphries

PDC Order of Merit

1 Luke Humphries £1,541,000
2 Michael van Gerwen £1,075,500
3 Michael Smith £1,065,750
4 Nathan Aspinall £620,500
5 Gerwyn Price £610,750
6 Rob Cross £591,250
7 Dave Chisnall £503,750
8 Peter Wright £496,500
9 Dimitri Van den Bergh £494,000
10 Damon Heta £486,250
11 Jonny Clayton £482,250
12 Danny Noppert £453,500
13 Chris Dobey £424,250
14 Ross Smith £418,750
15 Joe Cullen £415,250
15 Dirk van Duijvenbode £415,250
17 Stephen Bunting £398,750
18 Andrew Gilding £359,750
19 Josh Rock £349,500
20 Ryan Searle £347,500
21 Gary Anderson £331,750
22 Martin Schindler £328,500
23 James Wade £328,000
24 Gabriel Clemens £317,750
25 Luke Littler £303,500
26 Krzysztof Ratajski £288,500
27 Daryl Gurney £273,500
28 Brendan Dolan £269,500
29 Jose De Sousa £256,250
30 Raymond van Barneveld £251,000
31 Scott Williams £206,750
32 Ricardo Pietreczko £179,500

Littler on 'mental' win

Following his latest European win on Sunday, Luke Littler said: “Darts fans never disappoint. The energy tonight was mental!

“It made winning my second European Tour title that much sweeter. Cheers, legends!

“I’m just happy to get over the line again. I’ve come here and won another one. 

“In the final we started off really well. But I think I stuck at it and Joe started to fall off. I seen it and put my scoring back on top of his.” 

Premier League Darts table

Here are the current standings following last week's event in Liverpool...

Premier League Darts prize money

The total prize money is a huge sum of £1million - the same as the 2023 tournament.

And there is a winner bonus per weekly tournament of £10,000 for players to fight for.

• Winner: £275,000
• Runner-up: £125,000
• Losing semi-finalists: £85,000
• Fifth place: £75,000
• Sixth place: £70,000
• Seventh place: £65,000
• Eighth place: £60,000
• Winner's bonus per tournament: £10,000 (x16)

Littler on 'mind games' at Austrian Open

Luke Littler said that Krzysztof Ratajski was trying “mind games” after another darting Watergate scandal.

The teen sensation came from 3-1 down to reel off five legs in succession and win his Austrian Darts Open third round tie 6-3.

But in a strange incident Littler, 17, moved his water to the FLOOR during the clash in Graz.

That was because in their previous meeting in Belgium last month, the Pole drank from his water during the match.

Bizarrely, Ratajski appeared to move his water back on to the table during the match.

When asked about his water being moved, Littler said: “Then it appeared on the table again. I didn’t move it. I think he’s trying to play mind games. I just play my darts.”

What was the Austrian Open prize money?

Here is the full breakdown:

• Winner: £24,000
• Runner-up: £12,000
• Semi-finalists: £7,600
• Quarter-finalists: £4,800
• Last 16: £3,200
• Last 32: £1,600
• Last 64: £800
• Last 128: £400
• Total: £175,000

MVG's nickname for Littler

Michael van Gerwen has opened about his relationship with Luke Littler.

And the Dutch darts master has revealed he calls the oche wonderkid "Kebab Boy."

"We are always egging each other on and that’s what I always call him," MVG continued.

"(My nickname?) I don’t know but he doesn’t say it yet I think. I’m twice that boy’s age, right?

"We just have a good relationship, but real conversations we haven’t had.“I sometimes ask him something, it’s always darts-related.

"So should I start talking politics with a 17-year-old guy?

"If you ask him about Man United, he knows everything. That’s a generation gap."

Red reward

Luke Littler has revealed he is being driven on by the promise of a special Manchester United-related bonus.

He said: "My manager said if I do well this and do well in a few weeks then I can have another Euro Tour off and go and see United. 

"I’m doing well to go and watch United in the (FA Cup) final."

Littler hailed as a generational talent

The teenage sensation's Austrian Open final opponent, Joe Cullen, was full of praise for Littler following his defeat on Sunday night.

Speaking post-match, he said: "To be honest I was rubbish. He just played better than me.

"I'm disappointed with the way I played but congratulations to Luke.

"He's a generational talent, he's great for the game."

Littler's girlfriend's sweet note

Luke Littler's girlfriend Eloise celebrated his win at the Austrian Open on Instagram.

He even replied, "I love you" to her well wishes on social media.

Jacket 'ages him'

Luke Littler was the toast of Graz following his latest success.

The teen darts sensation was crowned Austrian Darts Open champion after defeating Joe Cullen 8-4.

It was a vintage display from the 17-year-old, who was unseeded going into the event.

Afterwards, he was presented with a trophy which he held aloft.

But, rather bizarrely, it was a green jacket that was draped on him that was the strangest prize.

The colourless jacket was similar to one worn by The Beatles in their heyday.

However, fans online thought it had made Littler appear older than his years - saying it "aged him 20 years".

Littler is on a promise

Luke Littler has revealed he is on a promise from his manager if he continues his success he will be able to watch his beloved Man Utd in the FA Cup final.

After winning the Austrian Darts Open, the teen said: "My manager said if I do well this and do well in a few weeks then I can have another Euro Tour off and go and see United. 

“I’m doing well to go and watch United in the (FA Cup) final.”

Littler's joy

Read our full report below of Luke Littler's brilliant Austrian Open win.

LUKING HIS BEST

Unseeded Littler wins Austrian Open to seal his second European Tour title

Littler celebrates

Luke Littler holds aloft the trophy.

He's a generational talent and is bringing new fans to darts.