Luke Humphries wins World Matchplay title after 18-15 success against Michael van Gerwen to add to his World Championship victory

Luke Humphries became only the fourth man to win the World Championship and the World Matchplay in the same year, after a dramatic victory in Blackpool.

The world number one, who won at Alexandra Palace in January, cemented his position at the pinnacle of the sport with an 18-15 victory over Michael van Gerwen at the Winter Gardens.

With his victory he joins the Dutch, Phil Taylor and Peter Wright, who won the two most prestigious races in the same year.

Since being beaten in the semi-finals of the Matchplay 12 months ago, Humphries has reached eight finals in 10 major tournaments, winning seven of them in a fantastic year in which he has consistently been the best player, rivalled only by Luke Littler.

And he has a hoodoo over Van Gerwen, because this was the eighth victory in a row over the Dutchman, who was aiming for a fourth title in Blackpool.

Humphries is only the fourth man to win the World Championship and the World Matchplay in the same year

Humphries secured an 18-15 victory over Michael van Gerwen at the Winter Gardens

Van Gerwen was hoping to end a lean year by winning his biggest tournament since the 2023 Premier League, but he fell short against the Humphries giant.

It was an exciting fight that could have gone either way and Van Gerwen will leave with regret, as he had four darts to level the score (16-16) and then three more to make it 17-16.

But Humphries claimed his first title at Blackpool and a £200,000 payday for winning 100 as his dominance continued.