Luke Littler and his fellow competitors are set to vie for a lucrative prize of $200,000 (£149,000) in Riyadh next week if they manage to achieve a nine-dart finish followed by a ‘golden bull’. This opportunity arises as the World Series of Darts makes its debut in Saudi Arabia, featuring eight PDC Tour representatives against eight Asian Tour representatives in a two-day tournament starting on Monday.
The potential prize for hitting a nine-darter stands at $100,000 (£74,700), with the added twist of doubling it by hitting one ‘golden’ dart at the bullseye, marking the largest reward in the sport’s history for a nine-dart finish. Luke Littler, who recently secured a landmark £1 million prize for winning the World Championship and a substantial darts supplier contract worth £20 million over a decade, will be aiming to replicate his success.
This new incentive in darts mirrors the format of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, which includes a significant bonus for achieving a 167 break with the “Riyadh Season golden ball”. The golden ‘Riyadh Season ball’ is strategically positioned at the start of each frame, aligning with specific spots on the snooker table and remains in play until a maximum break of 147 is no longer possible.
Mark Webster, a former World Championship semi-finalist, highlighted the attractive prize structure during an ITV 4 commentary, emphasizing the potential earnings for a flawless performance. Littler will be accompanied by notable players like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and others in Riyadh for the upcoming tournament following their participation in the Bahrain Masters.
As the competitors gear up for the challenge in Bahrain, where Littler showcased his prowess with a 170 ‘Big Fish’ checkout to advance, the anticipation for the Riyadh event grows. The stage is set for an exciting showdown as top players prepare to battle it out for glory and the grand prize in the world of darts.