LUKE LITTLER has fumed at an “idiot” who tried to sabotage his World Masters win over Ross Smith.
Without going into specifics, the 19-year-old admitted a front-row heckler was making life difficult during Saturday’s 4-1 victory in .
Littler battled through crowd disruption to beat Ross SmithCredit: Getty
Even Smith (left) noticed the issue, according to LittlerCredit: PA
And even opponent Smith picked up on it, with security staff asking if there was anything they could do to help.
But after a handful of spiky run-ins with crowds over the past 12 months, The Nuke has learned the importance of keeping a lid on things.
He said: “Obviously, [this] is the tournament I’ve not won and it’s just about keeping your head down, not reacting to anything.
“There were a few things in the crowd again at the very front. And even Ross said when we went off at 3-1, he’s an idiot, that guy, whoever it was.
“I didn’t know who it was, but it was just throughout the game.
“So even Ross had obviously seen it, but like I said at the Worlds, just don’t react and get the job done.”
On the intervention from security, Littler added: “They came over to me and said, ‘What did he say?’ And I just said, ‘Oh, nothing’.
“It doesn’t really matter. I’d won the set, it doesn’t really matter.”
Luke Humphries is the defending World Masters championCredit: Getty
Littler shrugged off the disruption to make light work of Smith and breeze through to the World Masters quarter-finals.
The reigning double world champion was pushed harder by Mike De Decker in the previous round, winning 3-2.
Littler has won virtually everything under the sun since bursting onto the darting scene as a 16-year-old.
But the World Masters is still missing from the world No1’s collection.
He is looking to dethrone defending champ and rival this year, and it may take some doing as ‘Cool Hand’ hit a en route to beating Luke Woodhouse on Saturday.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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