Stephen Bunting wins Bahrain Masters, defeats Luke Littler

Luke Littler's debut as world champion at the Bahrain Darts Masters ended in disappointment as he was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Gerwyn Price after initially defeating Lourence Ilagan in the opening round. The 17-year-old, who celebrated his 18th birthday shortly after, struggled in his match against Price, who averaged an impressive 115.31 and hit seven 180s. Price advanced to the final but was eventually defeated by Stephen Bunting, who secured his first World Series title with an 8-4 victory. Bunting reached the final after edging world number one Luke Humphries in a thrilling semi-final match. This tournament marked a significant return for Littler, who had recently claimed the World Championship title at Alexandra Palace. The event showcased several upsets, including former champion Rob Cross being eliminated by Paolo Nebrida.