Luke Humphries produced a remarkable 138 check-outs to win the biggest title of his career against a stunned Gerwyn Price; Next up on the Sky Sports Darts calendar is the 17th edition of the Grand Slam of Darts from November 11-19 at Aldersley Leisure Village.
Last updated: 08/10/23 11:10 p.m.
Luke Humphries won his first major title after beating favorite Gerwyn Price 5-2 in a thrilling final to claim the World Grand Prix title in Leicester on Sunday.
Former world junior champion Humphries, 28, won his first TV rankings title and £120,000 with the triumph, and also overtakes Price to a career-high fourth place in the PDC order of merit .
“I imagined that moment. It was the greatest game I’ve ever played in my life,” Humphries said. “These titles are difficult to obtain, but they are worth it.
“That 138 is probably one of the best shots of my career, let alone the title. I couldn’t have picked a better ending.
“I think I’ve proven I have it.”
World Grand Prix Final
| Gerwyn Prize | 2-5 | Luc Humphries |
Price punished a couple of nervous opening doubles from Humphries in the first set, winning the set unanswered, before a sparkling 12-dart – which featured just 10 scoring darts – saw the 28-year-old Berkshire thrower take the wide in the second set.
Humphries won the set 3-1 and tied that score in the third set, despite an 11 dart from Price, before taking the fourth unanswered to go 3-1 up in the match.
“Cool Hand Luke” opened the fifth with a 170 checkout, but Welsh ace Price responded with a 117 and punished his rival’s misses to win the set in a decisive decision to fight back.
The sixth set also came down to a decider, with the pair trading 180s before Humphries pinned a double four to go 4-2 up and move closer to glory.
Price led 1-0, 2-1 in the seventh set, but Humphries equalized and then made a remarkable 138 to seal the title.
“I’m absolutely gutted, but this is what happens. I wish we could play these games in Wales,” said an inconsolable Price. “I didn’t help myself at the start, but Luke played fantastic and he’s a worthy winner.
“I think I played better than him tonight. I felt he played better in the right moments but I played better overall. Fair play to Luke, he did what he had to do and he had a lot of support.
“The good thing is I have a good man cave to come home to.”
Price averaged 91 in response to Humphries, and “The Iceman” hit half of his opening doubles attempts and 52 percent of his final doubles as he fought bravely to regain the coveted trophy.
“I’ve been able to do it for so long on the European Tour, but I don’t think it’s just this stage. I can be better and perform well on the big stage,” Humphries added.
“The world is my oyster, it’s up to me. You don’t take a major title and think, ‘I’m going to sit out because I did it.’ That will probably make you want to train more strong, because when you get the Taste of it, you’ll want more. I’m a major champion now.
He then joked: “Could I get into the Premier League now, Wayne? I’ve got one place left and it’s at the top but I’m going to have to win a world title for that.
“The next goal for me is to become world number 1 after winning the Worlds.”
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