Luke Humphries is just the fourth man to win the World Championship and World Matchplay in the same year.
The world no.1, who beat Luke Littler at Alexandra Palace in January, carried on his stellar run with an 18-15 Matchplay win over Michael van Gerwen at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Victory sees him join the Dutchman, Phil Taylor and Peter Wright in winning the two most prestigious competitions in the same year.
The match could have gone either way, with Van Gerwen missing four darts to make it 16-16 as Humphries claimed a maiden Matchplay title.
Victory sees him join the Dutchman, Phil Taylor and Peter Wright in winning the two most prestigious competitions in the same year.
Since Humphries was beaten in the Matchplay semi-final 12 months ago he has made eight finals in 10 major tournaments, winning seven of them in a stellar year where he has consistently been the best player, with only Luke Littler for competition.
And he has a hoodoo over Van Gerwen as this was the eighth-straight victory over the Dutchman, who was eyeing a fourth title in Blackpool.
Van Gerwen was hoping to end a lean 12 months by winning his biggest tournament since the 2023 Premier League but came up short against the Humphries juggernaut.
It was an enthralling battle, which could have gone either way and Van Gerwen will be leaving with regrets as he had four darts to level at 16-16 and then another three to make it 17-16.
The triumph sees Humphries bank a whopping £200,000 by taking out 100 as his domination continued.
“I feel like I felt more emotional than when I won the worlds,” Humphries said.
“I think I got a bit lucky in the end. I think Michael missed a lot of chances… that 100, that double top. I’m going to watch that back about a hundred times tonight!”
“It’s the most incredible thing, I am really blessed to be on this stage, to be a part of such a great sport.
“I feel very privileged to hold this trophy, like so many great players, especially Phil Taylor – 16-time champ. To put my name on it, I’m absolutely over the moon.
“To do it in the same year as the World Championship, it really does mean the world to me.”
News Summary:
- Luke Humphries joins elite group as he banks £200k with World Matchplay triumph
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