Luke Littler has been amazed by a 15-year-old prodigy in the world of darts. Mitchell Lawrie, born in 2010, has been showcasing his talent at the WDF World Championship held at Lakeside over the past week.
Lawrie made history on Sunday by becoming the youngest player to triumph at Lakeside, defeating Japan’s Tomoya Maruyama convincingly. He then went on to defeat last year’s semi-finalist Jason Brandon 3-0, displaying exceptional skill with five maximums and impressive checkouts.
Additionally, Lawrie achieved a remarkable 97.21 average, the highest recorded at the tournament thus far.
In response to Lawrie’s performance, Littler expressed his astonishment on the WDF Darts Instagram account, stating, “This kid is a joke.”
Lawrie was elated after his victory over Brandon, securing his place in the next round. “I’m absolutely thrilled with my performance,” the Scottish player remarked.
Acknowledging the challenge posed by Brandon, Lawrie commented, “He’s a very skilled and experienced player, having reached the semi-finals last year, so I knew it wouldn’t be easy.”
Reflecting on his strategy, Lawrie mentioned, “I knew I had to start strong, and fortunately, I managed to do just that. I was pleased with how I executed my game.”
Lawrie impressed from the outset, swiftly finishing each leg within 15 darts in the first set. Although he narrowly missed a potential nine-dart finish, Lawrie showcased his talent by executing a superb 134 checkout.
Regarding the support from the crowd, Lawrie stated, “The audience was fantastic and really boosted my performance. Their energy was incredible, especially after I hit the 180.”
As the match progressed, Lawrie faced a brief challenge from Brandon, prompting him to elevate his game and secure a comfortable victory. Lawrie admitted, “I lost a bit of focus in the final set, but Brandon’s resurgence woke me up, and I regained control.”
When questioned about his nerves during the crucial moments of the match, Lawrie explained, “I wasn’t nervous, just missed my shot. It was double two, and unfortunately, I failed to hit it. Despite some distractions from the crowd, I appreciated their overall support.”
The PDC World Darts Championship is set to commence on December 11, with fans able to watch every match live exclusively through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.