After all the talk of a Bethpage “bearpit” in the build-up to this week’s Ryder Cup, Monday’s opening exchanges between the captains in New York could not have been more cuddly.
While the home fans are expected to bring a spikiness to Bethpage, Europe skipper Luke Donald and his US counterpart Keegan Bradley will deliver the bonhomie.
They live four miles apart in Florida, are members of Jack Nicklaus’ Bear’s Club, and are founding partners in a local restaurant.
Donald talked about their “strong friendship” and a “deep, mutual respect” for each other in his opening remarks.
“Keegan is someone that I’ve rooted for,” said Donald. “If he did well in a tournament, won a tournament, I would text him. We sometimes play practice rounds together, we’ve had dinners together.”
In return, Bradley gushed: “There are not many people I like more in the golf world than Luke Donald.
“I feel lucky to have Luke on the opposite side because we send each other texts, we joke around. I love hanging out and having a drink with Luke Donald.”
Their thoughts echoed a surreal calm at Bethpage’s famed Black Course, with spectators not allowed on to the property until Tuesday.
It is then that Europe’s players will get a first taste of the New York support, with Donald’s dozen set to play all 18 holes of this hilly course on Long Island, about 40 miles east of Manhattan.
And they could be ‘welcomed’ by thousands of fans in the stand that looms over the first tee and the adjacent 18th green. But will it be as intimidating as the cauldron created by the almost 5,000-seat stand that horseshoed the first tee at Rome in 2023?
Donald is taking no chances and has given his players virtual reality headsets which Rory McIlroy explained can be programmed to replicate the “sights and sounds” the away team are expecting.
Speaking this month, he said: “You can get them to say whatever you want them to say. You can go as close to the bone as you like.”
LUKE LITTLER has revealed he has failed his driving theory test once again – and it is frustrating the hell out of him.
The Nuke is the best darts player on the planet but he is not yet ready to get on the roads by himself.
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Littler is the World Champion and has a car ready to drive when he does finally pass his theory and practical testsCredit: SHUTTERSTOCK
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The 18-year-old described his latest effort as “a bad one” having shared his fifth failure (pictured) in the summerCredit: Instagram @lukethenukelittler
Having turned 18 last January, he is desperate to enjoy the freedom of being able to drive himself to tournaments and to see pals on his own terms.
Yet the theory test has so far proved extremely difficult for him to master – it has taken him SIX attempts and counting.
On the multiple choice part, he scored 41 out of 50 – the pass mark is 43 – and he got 44 out of 75 for the hazard perception part, which is barely passable.
He got questions wrong back then in relation to hazard awareness, alertness, safety, motorway rules and road and traffic signs.
*World-leading darts manufacturer Target Darts opened the UK’s ultimate darting pop-up experience in Manchester to celebrate their biggest-ever product launch. For more details on the lastest darts products, please visit:www.target-darts.co.uk
BARRY HEARN reckons Luke Littler has made darts so popular that there aren’t enough days in the year to squeeze in the amount of events needed to meet fan demand.
The PDC chairman has said that “main man” Littler is one of the reasons behind darts‘ incredible growth in recent years.
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Barry Hearn has said Luke Littler has made darts so popular he could fill the calendar twice overCredit: Getty
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Littler has become a sensation since bursting onto the sceneCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Littler, 18, burst onto the scene at the 2024 World Championship and has since cemented himself as one of the best players in the world.
His meteoric rise has seen him be crowned world champion on his second attempt, pocket in excess of £1MILLION in prize money and add over 15 PDC titles to a growing trophy cabinet.
Speaking to Sky Sports about what Littler’s emergence has done for the sport, Hearn said: “It’s [darts] just getting bigger and bigger.
“I’m actually having a problem that there is only 365 days in a year!
“The demand worldwide is so huge that I could fill that twice.”
Adding: “It’s non stop. The players are responding with performances beyond what I’ve ever seen in my life, in terms of averages and checkouts.
“Led by the main man Luke Littler, who is fast becoming a phenomenon.”
Watch Luke Littler’s ‘top s***housery’ to crowd while he is getting booed during Win Series of Darts final vs Van Gerwen
Speaking on the changes, Hearn said: “This is the first year where our prize money goes past £25million, World Championship is worth £1million, more European events because of demand in Europe.
Thursday marks the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that saw two planes flown into the Twin Towers in New York, killing nearly 3,000.
Kevin Danni was there. The St. Francis High graduate and father of Golden Knights linebacker Luke Danni reflects back every anniversary on how he escaped from the 61st floor of the South Tower.
“I’m so lucky there were so many who sacrificed to save me,” he said.
Danni told his story to a rapt audience earlier this week at a meeting of the YMCA of the Foothills QB Club, where he is president.
He was 22 years old, a recent graduate of Occidental College and had been sent to Morgan Stanley in New York to begin training at the Twin Towers on Sept. 10, 2001. The next morning, a training meeting ended up being 15 minutes late because a speaker went too long, so during a break, he decided not to go to the observation deck on the 107th floor.
Instead, he looked out a window and saw what he thought was confetti flying around, It was papers from the aftermath of a plane running into the North Tower. Soon he saw a fire. At first, evacuation from the South Tower was not recommended. But Danni said the head of security, Rick Rescorla, overrode orders and told everyone to leave.
When Danni reached the 55th floor walking down the stairs, he heard an explosion. “The walls cracked,” he said.
It was a plane hitting the South Tower.
“I knew it was a terrorist attack,” he said. “I started to descend and passed firefighters going up the stairs. It took 45 minutes to evacuate.”
When he went outside, he said, “I saw both on fire.”
He went to find a pay phone so he could call his loved ones and tell them he was OK. Then the towers started to collapse.
“I heard a rumble,” he said. “It was 57 minutes since the plane hit. I saw the dust cloud. I turned and ran.”
Danni said he learned the security man, Rescorla, after escorting employees outside, went back up to make sure all had been evacuated from the office. The security man and 343 firefighters perished trying to help others.
“I got to see so many acts of heroism,” Danni said.
He was dating his future wife, Helena, at the time. They eventually married and their son, Luke, was born. This week he’ll be having fun watching Luke play quarterback for St. Francis on Friday night against Muir.
“Every 9/11, he says, ‘Dad, I’m glad you’re here,’” Kevin said.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].
World number one Luke Humphries defended his Czech Open title as he beat Josh Rock 8-5 in the final.
Rock, who had beaten Michael van Gerwen en route to the final, got an early break of throw to go 2-0 up but England’s Humphries broke back and then reeled off a 12-dart leg to level at 3-3.
The pair then traded legs to reach 5-5 before Humphries won the next three legs on the spin against the Northern Irishman.
Humphries sealed victory with a clinical final leg at the PVA Expo in Prague to retain the title he won a year ago and claim the £30,000 top prize.
The 30-year-old’s three-dart average of 93.89 was marginally less than Rock’s 94.1 but his checkout percentage (34.8% versus 26.3%) was superior.
Humphries has now won the tournament three times in four years following his victories in 2022 and 2024 as he earned the eighth PDC European Tour title of his career.
“If it were up to me, I’d have all 14 European Tours held here. You don’t win three times in the same place by accident and it’s clearly special to me,” Humphries said.
“Since winning the Premier League, the past three months have been tough. I’ve struggled at times, and I felt like I dragged Josh down at the start of the game. But I never give in – I always try to find a way.”
World champion Luke Littler was earlier knocked out in the third round, suffering a surprise 6-4 defeat by Dutchman Gian van Veen.
If there is one surname to strike fear into American golf it is surely “Poulter” with Ian having been at the centre of so much European success on a biennial basis.
Now it is the turn of the Ryder Cup legend’s 21-year-old son Luke to try to do something similar and thwart US hopes of retaining the Walker Cup at Cypress Point in California this weekend.
Fresh from starring in Great Britain & Ireland’s victory over Continental Europe in the St Andrews Trophy, Poulter makes his debut in the 50th Walker Cup as GB&I seek an away win for only the third time.
Who better to inspire upsetting the form book than someone with the genes of Poulter Snr, whose heroics helped Europe complete the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ when they came from 10-4 down to win the 2012 Ryder Cup.
Ian Poulter will be supporting his son over the two days of competition having shared dinner with him and his nine team-mates earlier in the week.
“Being able to talk to him about the Ryder Cup and his experiences, having the chance to ask him questions and what it means and how to play these events, how to deal with the pressure has been so important,” said Tyler Weaver, GB&I’s highest ranked player.
Team-mate Niall Shiels Donegan, who beat Luke Poulter at the recent US Amateur Championship, added: “Dinner with Ian was really special.
“Obviously he’s done a lot in team golf, and it was pretty cool to get some lessons from him.”
Luke, who won three-and-a-half points out of four at the St Andrews Trophy, says he will try to use his father’s exploits in the Ryder Cup – 15 wins from 25 matches between 2004 and 2021- as a motivating force.
“He never played a Walker Cup but he obviously has Ryder Cup knowledge, which is pretty similar to this,” said the younger Poulter, who had a hole-in-one at Cypress Point’s par-three third in Thursday practice.
“It’s amazing to see (his achievements). It gives me inspiration to try and follow in his footsteps.”
Having climbed to 27th in the amateur world rankings, the University of Florida student has already demonstrated many of his father’s golfing traits. It is also clear they share the same “never say die” attitude.
“I just like that head-to-head battle because it’s just you and the opponent on the golf course,” he told the R&A website. “You don’t have to think about anything, you just go hole by hole and try and beat them.
“And then with the team stuff, it’s just really cool. I just love when everyone’s supporting you and everyone’s pulling for you.”
GB&I lost a tight contest at St Andrews two years ago and the Walker Cup will again be staged at an iconic venue this weekend. Cypress Point was designed by Alister Mackenzie, the architect who laid out the Augusta National, home of the Masters.
For Shiels Donegan there is a degree of familiarity. The son of Scottish parents grew up near San Francisco and received vociferous local support during his run to the US Amateur semi-finals at the city’s Olympic Club.
“I’m fortunate to have grown up not too far from here, a few hours north, so I hope that they’ll come out in force again and have some more fun,” he said.
“Having grown up on the poa greens, it does give me a little bit of extra feel, but of course they’re going to be running firm and fast for everyone.
“You’re going to have to adapt to the conditions as you see them, and yeah, just do your best that you can.”
GB&I’s most recent win came at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2015. Their last away victory was at Sea Island in Georgia 24 years ago.
So the Americans are firm favourites to retain the trophy, but their captain Nathan Smith is taking nothing for granted. “I think this is one of their best teams that I’ve seen in a while,” he said.
“I think the matches are always close, and it’s going to be a big test for us this week.”
Smith’s team is stacked with talent. It includes the top six in the amateur world rankings; Jackson Koivan, Ben James, Ethan Fang, Jase Summy, Preston Stout and Tommy Morrison.
GB&I captain Dean Robertson has been taking a measured approach to the week, pacing his players’ preparations. He will be encouraged by the recent form of Scot Cameron Adam, who finished in the top 20 at the recent British Masters.
Robertson knows this weekend has to be a collective effort with an astute game plan. “The key messages we’ve had have been strategy number one,” the Scottish skipper revealed.
“Approach play, short iron approach play and specific distances where you need to position the ball under hole high have been things that we’ve been working on for a good number of weeks.
“Also, through developing the relationship and understanding of these players and the respect of them, we’ve really managed to bring them together, and there’s a real unity there.
“I’m really thrilled to be their captain, really proud, and I’m really excited for the match itself.”
There are 22 points up for grabs with GB&I needing 11½ points to regain the title, while the US need 11 to retain.
The contest will be made up of four foursome matches on each morning, with eight singles games on Saturday afternoon and 10 singles after lunch on Sunday.
“So, they don’t have that person slowing them down.
“I used to try and practice with somebody if I could to keep me in that rhythm of playing.
Luke Littler responds to calls for him to retire after Australian Darts Masters
“So, that is why a lot when a player plays a younger player [like Littler], they start slowing them down to put them off because they are not used to it.
“Anybody who plays Luke Littler will slow their throw down.”
This year has been a success for Littler as he has already won the World Darts Championship, World Matchplay, Belgian Darts Open and UK Open among others.
The former New South Wales policeman accused of murdering Australian TV personality Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies has pleaded not guilty.
On Tuesday (26 August), Beau Lamarre-Condon appeared in court via a video link to enter his not guilty plea to two charges of domestic violence-related murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter.
When Deputy Chief Magistrate Theo Tsavdardis asked Lamarre-Condon to confirm his not guilty plea, the latter replied: “Yes, Your Honour.”
In a statement outside the courthouse, the accused’s lawyer Benjamin Archbold told reporters: “My client’s pleaded not guilty to all charges. As you’ll probably appreciate, there are always more sides to every story, and we’ll have an opportunity to tell ours.”
According to an additional report from The Guardian, the case is scheduled to proceed to the Supreme Court on 3 October to be listed for trial, likely in 2026 or 2027.
The recent development comes over a year after Lamarre-Condon – who joined the police force in 2019 and was once romantically involved with Baird – handed himself in to Sydney Police.
According to court documents, Baird and Davies were allegedly murdered between 12:01am and 5:30pm on 19 February, and a “significant” amount of blood was found at Baird’s home in Paddington.
Neighbours reportedly heard a “verbal argument” that morning.
Police alleged that the bodies were then moved in a rented van that was captured on CCTV footage the same evening.
A few days later, the remains of Baird and Davies were found on a rural property in the town of Bungonia, 20 minutes from the original search location.
Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said their bodies were discovered near the entrance and were covered with rock and debris.
“Police located a projectile at the premises which had been discharged…this has been ballistically matched to a NSW Police firearm,” Doherty told reporters.
Instagram @jessebairddd
Baird and Davies’ murder resulted in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras organisers formally requesting New South Wales police to withdraw from marching in the 2024 parade.
“In recent days, many have voiced their concerns to us, particularly regarding feelings of unease at the Parade. Their concerns centre on whether it can still be a space to protest, celebrate, and advocate for equality, as well as to honour and grieve for those we’ve lost, given the NSW Police’s participation in this year’s event,” they said.
“Our community needs space to grieve the loss of Jesse and Luke, who, before this tragedy, would have been here celebrating with us at the Festival.”
The NSW police obliged the request, with a spokesperson for the force stating: “While disappointed with this outcome, NSW police will continue to work closely with the LGBTIQA+ community and remain committed to working with organisers to provide a safe environment for all those participating in and supporting this Saturday’s parade.”
Darren Till (L) is looking to make it three from three in Misfits boxing with a win over Luke Rockhold.
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Luke Rockhold (L) is set to make his boxing debut against Darren Till on August 30.
Till boasted a UFC record of 18-5-1 and has since transferred his skill to the Misfits ring.
The Liverpool born fighter, 32, has won his first two fights since making his Misfits boxing debut, convincingly defeating Anthony Taylor by TKO and Darren Stewart by unaminous decision.
“The Gorilla” will be eager to continue his form with a win over Rockhold and is favourite for the bout.
American retired MMA star Rockhold makes his much anticipated boxing debut on August 30.
The 40-year-old star is most remembered for becoming the seventh UFC Middleweight champion in UFC history just over a decade ago.
It will be a tough challenge for Rockhold as he makes the transition into boxing, but he will be hoping for a strong underdog victory against the in-form Till.
When is Till vs Rockhold?
Till vs Rockhold will take place on Saturday, August 30.
Streaming for the event begins at 7pm BST.
The ring-walks for the main event will be approximately at 10pm BST.
The bout will take place in Manchester at the AO Arena.
What TV channel is Till vs Rockhold on and can it be live streamed?
The whole fight card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe via a DAZN subscription.
If you are not currently a DAZN member, then monthly and annual subscription options are available to watch over 185 fights a year across boxing, bare knuckle boxing, MMA and kickboxing.
An Annual Super Saver subscription is a one-off payment of £119.99 / $224.99 for 12-months access (£14.99 / $19.99 per month if paying in monthly instalments).
A Monthly Flexible pass, which can be cancelled at any time, is £24.99 / $29.99 per month.
Alternatively, SunSport’s live blog will bring you round-by-round updates from the huge card.
Who else is on the card?
Here are all the bouts taking place in Manchester:
Teenager Luke Littler beat defending champion Luke Humphries 8-4 to win the New Zealand Masters in Auckland and complete a World Series double after his victory in Australia last week.
The world champion saw off Mike de Decker 6-2 and Gerwyn Price 7-2 in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively on Saturday before setting up yet another showdown with Humphries.
Littler threatened to make light work of the world number one, cruising into a 3-0 lead before being pegged back to 3-2.
The 18-year-old again rattled off three legs in a row to move 6-3 in the lead before eventually wrapping up an impressive 8-4 victory.
“I felt untouchable tonight,” Littler said.
“It couldn’t have gone any better – the scoring, the doubles and then in the final I just felt untouchable.”
The Englishman recorded an average of 115.02 on his way to victory – the highest average ever in a World Series event final.
It was the fourth consecutive success for Littler against Humphries and edges him ahead in their career head-to-head with eight wins to seven.
“I was really good tonight and he [Humphries] couldn’t do much,” Littler added. I was disappointed going in 4-2 because it could have been 5-1 or 6-0.
“I just want to win everything that comes my way – the next one is Antwerp for the European tour so hopefully I can make it four titles in a row.”
Fourth in a series of stories profiling top high school football players by position. Today, Luke Sorensen, Servite tight end.
Wearing size 18 cleats, Luke Sorensen might not be the best candidate to walk across a frozen lake and make it to the other side. Then again, his hands are so large (11 inches wide) he might be able to cling to a piece of ice in an emergency to stay afloat.
What he can do is catch frozen-rope passes from quarterbacks as a 6-foot-4, 255-pound tight end at Servite High. He’s so large you feel sorry for the person who might have to tackle him. Picture his twin sister jumping on his back while pleading for him to fall as what can happen on a football field.
In an era when tight ends at the NFL level are becoming more and more valuable because of their ability to catch and block, Sorensen will provide similar versatility for the Friars. He’s that unique individual with the size and athleticism to create mismatches.
“He’s a unicorn,” coach Chris Reinert said. “There’s probably two or three kids in the country that can do what he does. Most of the time recruiting athletes who are receivers, you need to teach them first how to block. He was reverse. He can physically move people against their will.”
The size 18 cleats of Servite tight end Luke Sorensen.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
This is only Sorensen’s second year playing tight end. He showed up to play football as a freshman at 170 pounds. He was put on the offensive line. Last season as a junior he was switched to tight end. He loves the position because he gets to be Servite’s “Swiss Army Knife.”
“I want to do it all,” he said.
He can be the blocker to open holes at the point of attack or the receiver running over smaller defenders after he makes a catch.
🚨 LUKE SORENSEN – TOO BIG. TOO FAST. TOO STRONG. 6’4” | 230 lbs | TE PROBLEM 💪🏽🔥 @turfwars7v7 Defenders can’t match the size. They can’t keep up with the speed. And they definitely match the strength. @lukesorensen26 is a nightmare matchup 😤🏈#LukeSorensen… pic.twitter.com/aMMuAIcuXU
“In the passing game. he’s become a massive matchup problem,” Reinert said. “He’s a great athlete.”
He can dunk a basketball because of his large hands and leaping skills. He was a baseball player growing up with dreams of becoming a major leaguer. But football is the sport that fits him best with the physicality required and his athleticism.
Even though he turns 17 on Saturday, making him a young senior, he welcomes the opportunity to face older players.
“It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “At the end of the day, they’re a player across from me. I think it’s cool I’m younger. I can have a chip on my shoulder and do good stuff against older guys. It gets me ready for the next level because guys there are really good and really old.”
Servite tight end Luke Sorensen makes a catch in a passing tournament game.
(Craig Weston)
Last season he caught 15 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers figure to increase considerably with his experience, strength and importance in Servite’s offense.
“I expect massive things from him,” Reinert said.
As part of the Trinity League, which already has perhaps the nation’s No. 1 tight end recruit in Mater Dei’s Mark Bowman, the idea of Bowman and Sorensen playing on the same field Oct. 18 will be like being in tight end heaven. They also could face off in the Big Ten, since Bowman is committed to USC and Sorensen to Nebraska.
Now if only someone has an extra size 18 cleats, please give him a call.
“I’m always looking for more,” he said.
Saturday: San Juan Hills offensive lineman Cooper Javorsky.
Tight ends to watch
Mark Bowman, Mater Dei, 6-4, 225, Sr.: USC commit is SoCal’s best since Colby Parkinson was at Oaks Christian
Keawe Browne, Corona Centennial, 6-5, 230, Sr.: Has quickness, athleticism and strength
Jaden Hernandez, Long Beach Poly, 6-3, 235, Sr.: Colorado State commit has reliable catching skills
Beckham Hofland, Los Alamitos, 6-4, 230, Sr.: Boise State commit has size and blocking skills
Max Leeper, Claremont, 6-7, 215, Sr.: New Mexico commit has size to be productive contributor
Jude Nelson, Long Beach Millikan, 6-4, 220, Sr. Colorado State commit is strong, agile
Andre Nickerson, Inglewood. 6-3, 235, Sr.: SMU commit is athletic and tough to bring down
Luke Sorensen, Servite, 6-4, 255, Sr.: Friars intend to build offense around Nebraska commit
LUKE LITTLER has learned to block out the haters and hecklers, saying: I just let my darts do the talking.
The Nuke is heading to Auckland for part two of his Down Under jaunt this summer.
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Luke Littler was unhappy with members of the Wollongong crowd during the finalCredit: ITV
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The Nuke reacted to someone who had called out, claiming he was “rubbish”Credit: ITV
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Littler and girlfriend Faith enjoyed their time in Australia and visited a zooCredit: Instagram @lukethenukelittler
The 18-year-old banked £30,000 on Saturday when he beat Belgian thrower Mike De Decker 8-4 in the final of the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong.
It was his fourth success on the World Series of Darts circuit and was equally impressive given that he had not practised ahead of this 21,000-mile round trip.
Every time he failed to hit a treble during the evening’s three games, a group of locals shouted out “rubbish, rubbish” and someone even bizarrely said he was “washed”.
This comment perplexed Littler but it is believed to mean he is supposed to be washed-up and not as good as he used to – which is clearly not the case.
The more he wins, the more he will be targeted by irate punters but even for someone so young, he has learned to rise above it all.
There have been times in Germany where he has been singled out and he was asked if he had gotten used to dealing with a portion of the crowd being on his back.
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Littler, in his second season as a pro, said: “For myself, the first time I hear it, I will obviously do something, but then I will let it go by.
“Just do my darts. Let the darts do the talking.
“No-one has taught me how to deal with much. I just get on with things. You are on stage alone.
“No-one else is with you. No-one else is going to help you unless it’s a few guys from the crowd. Yeah, you have just got to get on with it.”
Littler – who is on the two-week trip with new girlfriend Faith – is in good form and in a good mood, telling his rivals that his confidence is sky high.
No-one else is with you. No-one else is going to help you unless it’s a few guys from the crowd. Yeah, you have just got to get on with it.
Luke Littler on dealing hecklers while on the stage
An early-morning flight to Kiwi country means shifting his body clock by another two hours – he has already said he struggles with jetlag on the other side of the world.
Last year, the Warrington teen was defeated in a last-leg decider 7-6 by world No.1 Luke Humphries in the semi-finals at the Globox Arena in Hamilton.
Littler, the newly-crowned World Matchplay champion, says he has a policy of practising hard for the big TV events but for the smaller ones, he will simply rock up and do his thing.
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The Nuke lifted the World Matchplay in Blackpool last monthCredit: Getty
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Before he turned 18, Littler lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy at Ally PallyCredit: Getty
The world No.2 said: “I’m very happy. My debut last year in Australia didn’t go to plan. But second time lucky.
“I want to be winning things. We look to New Zealand next week.
“I will enjoy this. But then it’s an early flight again. An extra two hours ahead – so I will definitely be needing some sleep.
“It’s only my second time coming to New Zealand. I didn’t do much last year.
“We can make the most of four to five days and then once it comes to Friday that is when the darts starts again.
“I’m feeling confident. This is the most confident I have felt in a very long time.
“For myself I know how much I will practise, how much I have been doing.
“But yeah I practised really well for the World Matchplay and won it. I think I will practise for the big ones.
“As a player, you are on stage for a long time. You practise leading up to it and when you are on stage, you gain that confidence.
“You get warmer and you find those four or five gears.”
ADRIAN LEWIS loves how the fearless Luke Littler behaves on the oche – and has no issue if his records are wiped out.
Littler, 18, heads Down Under this week to take part in World Series of Darts events in Australia and New Zealand.
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Luke Littler completed the Triple Crown at the World MatchplayCredit: Getty
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Adrian Lewis could make a darts comebackCredit: Getty
His last appearance on the oche saw him lift the Betfred World Matchplay – beating James Wade 18-13 in the final in Blackpool to complete the sport’s Triple Crown.
In the semi-finals, The Nuke hit a stunning nine-darter against Josh Rock and instead of going wild at the feat, he simply shrugged his shoulders.
Almost like Lewis, 40, used to do after perfect legs, as if to say: ‘Well, what else do you expect from someone as talented as me?’
When the tournament was over, Littler had hit 64 180s across five games, eight more maximums than the previous record of 56 set by Jackpot in 2013.
Far from feeling angry or jealous, Lewis approves of the audacity of Littler’s antics, saying: “I love it. Anything like that, I think it’s great for the game, you need characters.
“I have said it for years, I do believe that, and Luke is certainly one of them.
“First of all, him reaching the world final on his first appearance at Ally Pally was unbelievable.
“To do what he has done since, becoming world champion and still maintaining his form, he’s a credit to himself, his family and the sport.
“The sport is in good hands. The two Lukes, and Josh Rock, they are all very professional, they do their jobs.
“That is what darts needs. It is becoming more and more professional as time goes on.
Luke Littler takes part in annual fishing competition
“The Matchplay was definitely up there. The standard of it throughout was brilliant.
“Luke Littler hitting a nine-darter always helped. The semis-finals and final made it a great, great tournament.”
Later this month, Lewis will mark his return to televised darts – after a near two-and-half year absence.
The two-time world champion last threw competitive darts in front of the cameras at the PDC’s UK Open in 2023 at Butlin’s Minehead.
After that tournament, he decided to walk away from the sport for family reasons and having fallen out of love with the game.
His wife Sarah has “an incurable kidney disease” and his son “has autism and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)”, which has meant his full-time concentration and care.
His comeback will be the MODUS Super Series in Portsmouth at 10pm on Thursday August 28 – and should it all go well, he may attend PDC Q School in January.
If he regains his professional Tour Card, he will be reunited with old sparring partner Wade, who turned back the clock to reach the Matchplay final last month against expectation
Stoke-born Lewis said: “I don’t think James dropped below a 100 average all the way through the tournament, which takes some doing itself.
“To still do that after he has been playing for 20-odd years, he’s a credit to the sport as well. I think he is very underlooked a lot of the time.
“Certainly, to me he has been the best finisher in the world over the last 20 years.
“He deserves more respect, definitely. That might put him in the Premier League next year, which he thoroughly deserves as well.
“He will just go from strength to strength and get more and more confidence.
“Obviously he reached another final and I think he can do big things again.”
3
Littler hit a nine-darter in the semi-final before seeing off James Wade to clinch the Matchplay titleCredit: Getty
“[The crowd] got their money’s worth. I think they wanted 15-all but that last leg, I just had to stay focused,” he told Sky Sports.
“I didn’t really panic. Leg by leg, Andrew started to win a few on the trot, but on the last leg, against the darts, I just had to get over the line.
“He played his part, it’s very tough. Andrew never goes out of rhythm, he’s the same throw by throw. I just had to find a rhythm to match him.”
Littler teased there would be “fireworks” in the fourth quarter-final and Rock delivered.
Both the 24-year-old (104.02) and Price (100.21) averaged above 100, but it was Rock who seized the moment, winning three consecutive legs to open up an 11-8 lead and then extending his advantage to 13-9.
Price rallied to make it 13-11, but Rock – who beat three-time champion Michael van Gerwen in round two – closed out the match in style, winning the last three legs and producing a checkout of 164 in the final one.
“I’m on cloud nine at the minute. What a game,” Rock told on Sky Sports.
“I was just like, ‘Josh, you’re doing nothing wrong, you’re playing your own game, happy days’. The form Gerwyn’s in, you know what to expect.
“Littler’s one of my closest friends behind the scenes. I hope we both turn up. Hopefully it will be a cracking game.”
Luke Littler survived a real scare before fighting back to beat Jermaine Wattimena 13-11 in a thriller to reach the World Matchplay quarter-finals in Blackpool, but three-time champion Michael van Gerwen is out after defeat to Josh Rock.
World champion Littler looked out of sorts at Winter Gardens as he slipped 4-0 and then 7-2 behind against Dutchman Wattimena.
After pulling one leg back immediately before the second break, a clearly fired up Littler let out a roar of delight and gestured to the crowd that he was not going home just yet.
Littler returned from the break reinvigorated, winning six legs in a row, but Wattimena rediscovered his composure and the two players traded blows to send the game to a tie break
Littler missed two match darts as the nerves began to show, but after making the third he once again roared in celebration and pointed to the star on his shirt, which signifies his World Championship victory.
“When I pointed to the star on my shirt, I’m a world champion for a reason, I find these gears when I need it,” Littler told Sky Sports.
“I’ve not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championship. I was a bit nervous and it’s on to my third game here, I’ve won two of them.
“I want to get back on stage and right now I can’t wait to be in the quarter-final.”
Van Gerwen made a flying start against Northern Ireland’s Rock, taking the opening leg with a 150 checkout before surging into a 5-1 lead.
Rock narrowed the game to 6-4 at the second break only for Van Gerwen to move into a 9-6 lead and seemingly on the brink of victory.
But Rock fought back again and the momentum to swung in his favour when a superb 152 checkout cut Van Gerwen’s lead down to one, before winning the next two legs to take the lead for the first time.
Van Gerwen needed a 138 checkout to stay in the game and make it 10-10, but Rock held his nerve in a tense tie break.
“I kept my emotions, I think, throughout the game. I don’t know what was going on but I got into the game at the end,” he told Sky Sports.
“One of the most dramatic, my heart was pumping throughout the whole game. The stress has finally gone. What a game.”
Gerwyn Price stormed into the quarter-finals with an 11-3 thrashing of England’s Chris Dobey,
Welshman Price, who was involved in an angry confrontation with Daryl Gurney in the previous round, averaged 108.7, hit eight 180s and had a 146 checkout in a dominant performance.
“It was fantastic. In the middle part of the game I felt like I couldn’t miss,” he told Sky Sports. “I put Chris under a lot of pressure. I think he still played pretty decent in patches.
“I think early on we were both flying and I was just pipping him on a couple of legs, probably disheartened him a little bit. It’s a good game for me.”
Andrew Gilding set up a meeting with Littler after the former UK Open champion beat Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode 11-5 to reach the last eight of the World Matchplay for the second successive year.
World champion Luke Littler eased into the second round of the World Matchplay in Blackpool with a comfortable 10-2 win over Ryan Searle.
The 18-year-old’s maiden appearance at the Winter Gardens last year had resulted in a first-round defeat by Michael van Gerwen and he was keen to amends this time around.
He was too good for Searle from the outset, winning the first four legs with only 48 darts and he finished with a superb average of 108.92 and 52.6% on his checkouts.
The world number 19 had no answer to the onslaught from Littler who avoided the fate that befell world number one Luke Humphries who was beaten in his opening match on Saturday.
“I felt very comfortable out there,” Littler told Sky Sports. “I was well up for tonight and I’m just so glad to get that win and that winning feeling.
“As people know, I’m not a practiser, but I’ve been practising for this one and putting in more time at home. I’m glad it has paid off and I can’t wait to come back for the next game.”
Littler’s opponent in the last 16 will be Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena who beat 2021 champion Peter Wright 10-8.
Rob Cross, the 2019 winner also bowed out after a 10-8 loss to Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode but the 2018 champion Gary Anderson beat Luke Woodhouse 10-5 to advance.
World number one and defending champion Luke Humphries suffered a shock defeat in the opening round of the World Matchplay in Blackpool.
Humphries lost 10-8 to world youth champion Gian van Veen at the Winter Gardens with the 23-year-old Dutchman describing it as “the biggest win of my career”.
Humphries, who lifted the title 12 months ago after beating Michael van Gerwen, had been aiming to become just the fourth player to win back-to-back titles.
But Van Veen, who had six match darts before being beaten in a sudden-death leg on his debut last year by Rob Cross, started strongly, winning the opening two legs of the best-of-19-leg encounter.
And although Humphries took the next three, the 30-year-old struggled with his doubles throughout.
Van Veen edged 5-3 ahead only for Humphries to hit back again and go 7-6 up but a tense 15th leg won by Van Veen saw him take a key 8-7 advantage and, despite seeing a couple of match darts come and go in leg 17 to bring back memories of 12 months ago, he sealed the win in the next leg.
“To beat such a phenomenal player like Luke, I am over the moon,” Van Veen told Sky Sports. “He is a great champion and a great guy.
“At 6-6 and 7-7, I felt the pressure but I was happy I could keep up. Luke missed some chances but I took mine and it means so much.”
Van Veen’s reward is a meeting with compatriot Danny Noppert, who had a comfortable 10-2 win over Scottish debutant Cameron Menzies.
Earlier, former champion James Wade came through 10-3 against Joe Cullen.
Luke Fahey looked right, then passed left. He looked left, then passed right. Defensive backs told to read a quarterback’s eyes might have trouble with Fahey, Mission Viejo High’s senior quarterback and Ohio State commit whose instincts, strong arm and decision-making are separating him from others in the class of 2026.
Then there’s something called character. For the last two years, he agreed to share playing time with Draiden Trudeau. Others might have bailed. Not Fahey.
“I feel God has a plan for everybody,” he said. “That was my journey. Of course, everyone wants to be a full-time starter, but that was a good thing for me. There was a lot of adversity during those two years. I learned so much from Drai, and he pushed me to be an even better quarterback and better leader.”
Anyone watching Fahey on Saturday at Edison’s Battle of the Beach seven-on-seven passing tournament were getting a glimpse of a 6-foot-1 quarterback in an obvious comfort zone calling his own plays and showing chemistry with a new group of receivers (returner Vance Spafford was missing because of illness). It’s no wonder that Ohio State and coach Ryan Day identified him as a recruiting priority.
“It was a big decision,” Fahey said. “For me, it was a no-brainer. It was a dream of mine to be at a place like that since I was a little kid. I told myself when I got the opportunity I’d take full advantage of it and maximize my opportunity. The coaches are amazing, the people there are even better. One thing that stood out they showed me a picture of their practice. I think 18 of 22 were in the NFL or got drafted. It speaks volumes to their program and my goal is to be a draft pick one day and make it to the NFL.”
Despite missing Spafford and star defensive back Jeron Jones, the Diablos went 7-0 and defeated Mission Hills in the final. The toughest game was a 26-25 win over Cathedral in the semifinals on a winning touchdown catch by Davonte Curtis. It’s been quite a summer for Mission Viejo, which also won its own passing tournament by beating Mater Dei in the final.
As the summer passing season nears conclusion and official football practice begins at the end of this month, Saturday’s Battle at the Beach is always a good opportunity to see teams and players making progress.
First-year Santa Margarita head coach Carson Palmer.
(Craig Weston)
Santa Margarita, under new coach Carson Palmer and new quarterback Trace Johnson, a transfer from Florida, will have lots of weapons this fall. The Eagles defeated Long Beach Millikan in the championship game of the Silver Division.
Brothers Trent and Grant Mosley will be key receivers for Santa Margarita.
(Craig Weston)
USC commit Trent Mosley, who didn’t play because of an injury, said of the new coaching staff, “It’s real good. I’m excited for the season.” His brother Grant, is an impressive sophomore receiver. The best opening game of the 11-man season will be Mission Viejo playing Santa Margarita on Aug. 22.
St. John Bosco junior safety Isala Wily-Ava is part of a secondary filled with talent.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
St. John Bosco clearly is one of most talented teams in regard to skill-position players, sending in wave after wave of top defensive backs and receivers. The Braves were young at those positions last season, so all it’s going to take is strong line play to combine with the skill-position talent to make another run at Trinity League rival Mater Dei. After going 4-0 in the morning session, the Braves lost to Mission Hills in the quarterfinals.
Dylan Brown (left) celebrates an interception with quarterback Koa Smith-Mayall of JSerra.
(Craig Weston)
JSerra, which lost starting quarterback Ryan Hopkins to Mater Dei, has a capable replacement in junior Koa Smith-Mayall, who missed all of last season recovering from a knee injury. He’s only 5 feet 10 but has a powerful arm and considers himself a dual threat quarterback.
“I guess everyone outside of JSerra thought we’d be in trouble, but I knew I’d be ready,” he said.
Cathedral made it to the semifinals behind quarterback Jaden Jefferson, who will be aided by an improved offensive line this fall.
One of the most impressive quarterbacks was Troy Huhn of Mission Hills, a Penn State commit who got his team in the final with a win over Corona del Mar, which was a surprise team behind quarterback Brady Annett and receiver Dorsett Stecker.
Finally, let’s not end the summer without knowing the answer to the question: Why did Fahey stay for four years at Mission Viejo?
“It speaks to what my dad and mom have preached to me since I was a little kid,” he said. “That you can’t up and leave. Loyalty is one of the biggest things in my family. I’m going to stay true to those who stay true to me.”
Says Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson of Fahey’s fortitude: “Amazing.”
In other tournaments on Saturday, Tustin defeated Bishop Amat in the final of the Clash in the Canyons tournament in Azusa. Mira Costa won the Culver City tournament. San Juan Hills won the Ocean View tournament over Downey. Quarterback Timmy Herr didn’t throw an interception in two games and relied on receivers Luke Frith, Ryan Matheson and Dean Kolasinski.
