Luke Littler gets £15,000 boost after Gerwyn Price's 'amateur' blast at PDC

17-year-old Luke Littler has won his first ranking title at the opening Players Championship event.

Littler showcased his talents by hitting a nine-dart finish in an earlier round and then went on to beat fellow Englishman Ryan Searle in a nail-biting final. Littler took home the £15,000 winner's prize after showing top form on Monday.

He averaged 110 and hit seven 180s. The young star, who is a graduate of the St Helens Darts Academy, made a name for himself during a surprise run to the final of the World Championships.

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'The Nuke' then beat Michael van Gerwen to win the Bahrain Masters in January. He became the youngest player to hit a televised nine-darter in his quarter-final victory over Nathan Aspinall.

Littler continued to impress as he was beaten by home favourite Van Gerwen in the final of the Dutch Masters the following week. His nine-dart finish at the Players Championship event in Wigan came during a 6-1 win against Michele Turetta.

He then beat quarter-final opponent James Hurrell 6-3 before edging out Alan Soutar 7-6. "I know my game is there, I know I can beat anyone, and I'm really happy to have won," Littler said.

"Me and my manager know what I have to do to qualify for the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix. I want to try and qualify for everything, and I've just got to play my game. I'm taking it in my stride. It takes huge pressure off me, and now hopefully I can settle and enjoy it."

Former world champion Gerwyn Price, meanwhile, withdrew halfway through his third round match after what he claimed were