Littler Faces Backlash in Brighton, Exit Possibly Linked to Van Veen Dispute

Luke Littler suffered a dismal defeat to Stephen Bunting in Brighton, prompting speculation that his recent spat with Gian van Veen may have contributed to his subpar performance. The 19-year-old world champion recorded his lowest PDC TV average and failed to hit a single maximum, sparking concerns about his mental state after a heated exchange with Van Veen last week. Former Premier League star Wayne Mardle believes Littler's exit may have been a direct result of the incident, stating that it would be a coincidence if the two events were unrelated. Meanwhile, three-time world champion John Part noted that Littler 'didn't look interested' during the match, while Bunting himself expressed sympathy for his opponent, saying he's a 'fantastic lad' who didn't deserve the hostile crowd reaction. The loss allowed Jonny Clayton to move three points ahead of Littler in the table, after the Welshman produced a stunning comeback to beat Michael Van Gerwen in a thrilling final.