The Nuke is back to explosive best

Littler lands Oztitle and fires waming wioTivals

- BY MIKE WALTERS

LUKE LITTLER was on cloud nine as he headed for the land of the long white cloud, warning: “I've got that winning feeling back.

After backing up his triumph at the World Matchplay last month with a World Series title at the Australian Darts Masters, Luke the Nuke is close to his imperious best.

After a five-month gap between the UK Open and his breathtaking Matchplay comeback wins in Blackpool, Littler’s red-hot scoring has put him in pole position for darts’ first £1million jackpot.

The 18-year-old now heads for Friday’s New Zealand Darts Masters as favourite to defend his world crown at Ally Pally in December - where the Sid Waddell Trophy will carry the sport’s maiden seven-figure payday.