Luke Humphries joins elite group as world number one banks another £200k with World Matchplay triumph
Luke Humphries added the World Matchplay crown to his growing list of major honours, and cement himself as the number one darts player in the world.
The world no.1 secured an 18-15 victory over Michael van Gerwen in a thrilling match at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on Sunday night.
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It’s been some 2024 for Humphries, who adds the World Matchplay to his growing collectionCredit: GettyWith his latest triumph, Humphries becomes just the fourth man to be crowned World Championship and World Matchplay champion in the same year.
He joins Van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and Peter Wright as the only players to have won 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.
That of course included the World Championship at Alexandra Palace, when he beat teenage sensation Luke Littler in the final.
READ MORE ON DARTSThe Matchplay final could have gone either way, with Van Gerwen missing four darts to make it 16-16 as Humphries held his nerve to
It is Humphries’ eighth-straight victory over the Dutchman, who was eyeing a fourth title in Blackpool and was bidding to end a lean 12 months by winning his biggest tournament since the 2023 Premier League.
The triumph sees Humphries bank a whopping £200,000 – taking his total prize money now close to £2m in the last two years.
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Cool Hand has earned a cool £200k for his troubles in BlackpoolCredit: Getty
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Van Gerwen had his chances in the hotly-contested final but came up shortCredit: Getty”I feel like I felt more emotional than when I won the worlds,” Humphries said of his Masters victory.
“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.
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“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.”
