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Luke Littler claimed a second straight UK Open title by beating James Wade 11-7 in the final in Minehead.<\/b><\/p>\n
Having thrashed Wade 11-2 in the 2025 decider, Littler again got the better of his fellow Englishman, albeit in a much closer contest.<\/p>\n
By doing so, Littler became the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2015 and 2016 to win the ‘FA Cup of darts’ back-to-back.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old world champion raced 3-0 ahead in the best-of-21-legs final but was pegged back to 3-3 by Wade.<\/p>\n
Littler promptly won the next three legs before, remarkably, Wade drew level again at 6-6.<\/p>\n
Three-time UK Open champion Wade was averaging just 88 at that point while Littler was at a shade over 100 – but some slack finishing by the world number one allowed ‘The Machine’ to stay in the contest.<\/p>\n
But while Wade raised his level and Littler never reached anywhere close to his best, the teenager was still able to reel off four straight legs from 7-7 to seal victory.<\/p>\n
Littler ended with an average of 99.58 and a checkout percentage of 35.48% – numbers which proved enough for him to take home the \u00a3120,000 prize money.<\/p>\n
“It feels amazing [to go back-to-back],” Littler told ITV4. “I don’t think it’s been the best of tournaments for me average-wise but I’ve dug deep throughout the tournament and I’ve come out with a win.<\/p>\n
“I wasn’t happy with myself through the early rounds but, as a player, you’ve got to dig deep.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n