Luke Littler nearly lifted the roof off the Motorpoint Arena in his match against Michael van Gerwen after hitting eight perfect darts before agonisingly missing the nine-darter attempt.
The teenager has taken the darts world by storm ever since breaking onto the scene at the World Championships.
He's proven his display at Alexandra Palace was no flash in the pan as he's continued to compete with - and beat - the very best players in the game.
Littler has also produced more nine-darters than any other pro player this year with his third coming in the final of the Belgian Open last week against Rob Cross.
Luke Littler hit eight perfect darts before missing his ninth
SKYSPORTS
That made Littler the 11th PDC player to hit at least three nine-darters in a calendar year.
Only two players in history have ever hit four nine-dart finishes - Van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price.
The Welshman was the last man to do so back in 2022 while Van Gerwen done it in 2016 and 2019.
Littler has plenty of time on his hand to get his fourth of the year and he nearly got it done against Van Gerwen on Thursday evening.
The two were up against each other in the first round of the seventh Premier League night and both players were at the top of their form from the very first leg.
Van Gerwen was averaging well over 100 but he was unable to keep pace with Littler, who quickly raced to a 5-2 lead.
The 17-year-old was looking to end it in style as he hit six perfect darts to get the crowd on their feet.
Left with 144, Littler then landed back-to-back triple-20s with the crowd roaring in anticipation of a nine-darter.
Luke Littler was applauded by Michael van Gerwen
SKYSPORTS
Double 12 was all that was left for Littler, but his accuracy sadly evaded him with the dart landing in the single ring.
Littler immediately turned to his left as the crowd sighed in disappointment along with Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle.
It didn't matter in the end with Van Gerwen not even on a finish for his next throw with Littler then wrapping up the victory with on double-three.
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Luke Littler came THIS close to hitting a nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen 😨 pic.twitter.com/idgxY1UZ6N
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) March 14, 2024
Van Gerwen showed his respect by applauding Littler before the two embraced on stage.
Littler couldn't wipe the smile from his face as he returned to his table for a sip of water.
Mardle added: "Wherever he performs, the world is looking at him. This is not the norm, but he is making it his norm."
