Luke Littler made a triumphant return to competition, crushing Paul Lim 6-1 at the Bahrain Darts Masters. The reigning world champion fired a 106.5 average and hit a 170 checkout, his first match since retaining his world title. He now meets Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.

Luke Humphries also progressed impressively, sweeping aside Abdulla Saeed in straight legs for the third consecutive year. The field saw strong showings from Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall, and defending champion Stephen Bunting, all securing their spots in the last eight.

This event marks the first World Series tournament of 2026, serving as a key early-season test for the sport's elite. With Littler's dominant form and a stacked quarter-final lineup, the competition in Bahrain sets the stage for a compelling year ahead in darts.