Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler to win Premier League Darts title and payday
Luke Humphries ended Luke Littler's hopes of retaining the Premier League Darts title with an emphatic 11-8 in the final at the O2 Arena. Littler, 18, headed to London as the defending champion and red-hot favourite to come out on top again, and in turn pocket the massive £275,000 jackpot.
The teenage sensation raced into a 3-0 lead over Humphries, who looked nervous as he threw quickly. The 30-year-old responded well, though, levelling the scores by winning the next three legs and went on to claim a 11-8 victory, despite Littler rallying back.
It was five-a-piece at the break during which Humphries uncharacteristically gesticulated towards the tournament director over an issue near the oche. Humphries didn't let it get to him, taking a 6-5 lead.
The Nuke was made to work hard for his place in the final against a player he has had issues against in Gerwyn Price. The Welshman managed to beat him twice in the league phase and looked capable of causing another shock.
Price went off at the mid-match break, leading 6-4 having missed chances to have an even bigger advantage. That would have been enough to have earned a win in the previous 16 weeks, but the play-offs mean a longer format and a chance for comebacks.
And after regrouping off stage, Littler roared back, winning six of the last 7 legs to win 10-7.
After booking his place in a second successive final, the normally ice cool Littler, admitted he was feeling a few nerves. He said: "When Gezzy went 6-4 up and we went off stage I needed to get myself up for it. I stormed off stage, I had to.
"I was very nervous for the first five or six legs. But I love coming on after a break, relaxed and got the job done. I can relax now."
Humphries was also made to work, having been level at the break with opponent Nathan Aspinall. But the 2024 PDC world champion matched Littler's result, winning 10-7.
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