Liam aims to do a Littler on the baize
Scottish Snooker starlet Liam Graham has revealed he’s a fully-fledged member of the Luke Littler fan club – and cites him as inspiration in his own quest to reach the top, writes EUAN
MCARTHUR.
Graham was gripped by Littler’s recent exploits at the World Darts Championships at the Ally Pally in London when the teenage sensation became the youngest-ever player to reach the PDC World Darts Championship final, only to lose at the final hurdle 4-7 to Luke Humphries. However, he did pick up his first senior title at the Bahrain Masters on Friday.
Graham is also being tipped for big things having won the EBSA European Under-21 Snooker Championships in Malta in March 2023, giving the 19-year-old from Glasgow a two-year tour card for the World Snooker professional set-up as he now prepares to embrace this week’s World Open qualifiers at Barnsley Metrodome.
And Graham, who reached the last 32 of the Scottish Open last year, insists Littler’s heroics earlier this month have only served to further whet his own appetite for success.
Graham said: “I was cheering on Luke big-time. It’s amazing he’s only just turned 17.
“I think the whole darts world was urging him on to win the World Championships but it just wasn’t to be.
“I’ve got to admire Luke over the past two years so I was just delighted for him to take the tournament by storm.
“It just goes to show what can be achieved through hard work and having the right kind of temperament for the big stage.
“I suppose you could say he is an inspiration for any aspiring young sportsman. The way he handles himself overall is impressive.
“I really enjoy watching the darts. It’s a good way to switch off and it was made all the more enjoyable by Luke’s exploits.”