Luke Littler and his fellow competitors are gearing up for a shot at a $200,000 (£149,000) prize if they can achieve a nine-dart finish followed by a ‘golden bull’ during the upcoming event in Riyadh.
The World Series of Darts is making its debut in Saudi Arabia, featuring eight PDC Tour players against eight Asian Tour representatives. The tournament, set to kick off on Monday, presents a lucrative opportunity for the participants.
In this unique competition, hitting a nine-darter will secure a $100,000 (£74,700) reward, with the added twist of doubling it by aiming for the bullseye with one ‘golden’ dart. This challenge offers the largest prize in the sport’s history for a nine-dart finish, making it an enticing prospect for Littler and his rivals.
Recently, the 18-year-old Littler clinched a record £1 million prize for winning the World Championship and signed a lucrative long-term contract worth £20 million with his darts supplier. With a history of hitting nine perfect darts in the World Series event in Bahrain in 2024, Littler is preparing diligently for the upcoming competition.
This new incentive in darts mirrors the format of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, which features the “Riyadh Season golden ball” offering a $1 million (£760,000) bonus for achieving a 167 break.
Former World Championship semi-finalist Mark Webster highlighted the rewards at stake, emphasizing the potential $200,000 payout for a flawless performance in Riyadh. The tournament will see top players like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price joining Littler in the competition.
As Littler and his peers continue to compete in the Bahrain Masters, anticipation is high for the upcoming challenge in Riyadh. With impressive performances and a track record of success, the darts community eagerly awaits the thrilling showdown in Saudi Arabia.