Littler Suffers Early Exit in Brighton Amidst Van Veen Spat Fallout

World champion Luke Littler endured a dismal night in Brighton, succumbing to a quarter-final defeat at the hands of Stephen Bunting, with his lowest televised PDC average. This lackluster performance has sparked speculation about whether his recent spat with Gian van Veen had a lasting impact. Littler's struggles began from the onset, facing a hostile crowd and failing to recover from a poor start. Despite being the pre-match favorite, he averaged a mere 83.94 and failed to hit a single maximum, prompting concerns about his form. Former Premier League star Wayne Mardle attributed Littler's subpar performance to the aftermath of his spat with Van Veen, suggesting it was a 'knock-on' effect. Bunting, who celebrated his 41st birthday, capitalized on Littler's woes, securing a hard-fought victory. The crowd's booing of Littler did not go unnoticed, with Bunting expressing sympathy for his opponent, stating he is a 'fantastic lad' who did not deserve such treatment. The incident has raised questions about Littler's ability to bounce back from adversity, with Mardle urging him to 'get back on the horse soon.' Meanwhile, Jonny Clayton stole the show with a stunning comeback against Michael Van Gerwen, moving three points ahead of Littler in the table. As the Premier League season unfolds, all eyes will be on Littler to see how he responds to this setback and whether he can regain his footing in the competition.