Latest news with #PhilTaylor
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Luke Humphries thanks Phil Taylor for ‘extra boost' after winning Premier League
Luke Humphries says a pep talk from Phil Taylor inspired him to become the Premier League champion. The world number one completed darts' 'triple crown' as he beat rival Luke Littler in the final at the O2 Arena in London, adding to his World Championship and World Matchplay wins. Advertisement He joined an esteemed list as only Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson had previously won all three prestigious tournaments. And the 30-year-old revealed chatting to Taylor – a six-time Premier League champion – helped him get over the line. 'To Phil Taylor, thank you so much. He has given me so much support,' he said. 'He has given me a lot of advice and an extra boost tonight. I'm really happy with that win. 'I'll keep it private between me and Phil. He just gave me confidence and was supportive of me. I think when you've got the greatest dart player in the world, showing a bit of support and belief in you, it makes you feel good. Advertisement 'It's always nice when someone believes in you, but when the best in the world, or was the best in the world, believes in you it feels good.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Professional Darts Corporation (@officialpdc) Humphries looked a good bet to dominate the sport until Littler came along 18 months, with the teenager's to the World Championship final kickstarting an enduring rivalry. They are streets ahead of the rest of the field and this was their 24th meeting in 18 months, with nine of them coming in this season's Premier League alone. Humphries revealed that Taylor's advice was centred on him rather than how to beat Littler. Advertisement 'It wasn't anything to do with Luke. It was all about me,' he said. 'He's never going to give me advice on how to beat people. He's just going to give me advice about me. 'It's all about me. He was telling me stuff about myself, about my just believing in me, to be honest. 'I would never, ever say anything that he's told me specifically, because that's our business. 'But he's just really supportive and gave me that bit of advice.' Advertisement
The Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Luke Humphries thanks Phil Taylor for ‘extra boost' after winning Premier League
Luke Humphries says a pep talk from Phil Taylor inspired him to become the Premier League champion. The world number one completed darts' 'triple crown' as he beat rival Luke Littler in the final at the O2 Arena in London, adding to his World Championship and World Matchplay wins. He joined an esteemed list as only Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson had previously won all three prestigious tournaments. And the 30-year-old revealed chatting to Taylor – a six-time Premier League champion – helped him get over the line. 'To Phil Taylor, thank you so much. He has given me so much support,' he said. 'He has given me a lot of advice and an extra boost tonight. I'm really happy with that win. 'I'll keep it private between me and Phil. He just gave me confidence and was supportive of me. I think when you've got the greatest dart player in the world, showing a bit of support and belief in you, it makes you feel good. 'It's always nice when someone believes in you, but when the best in the world, or was the best in the world, believes in you it feels good.' Humphries looked a good bet to dominate the sport until Littler came along 18 months, with the teenager's to the World Championship final kickstarting an enduring rivalry. They are streets ahead of the rest of the field and this was their 24th meeting in 18 months, with nine of them coming in this season's Premier League alone. Humphries revealed that Taylor's advice was centred on him rather than how to beat Littler. 'It wasn't anything to do with Luke. It was all about me,' he said. 'He's never going to give me advice on how to beat people. He's just going to give me advice about me. 'It's all about me. He was telling me stuff about myself, about my just believing in me, to be honest. 'I would never, ever say anything that he's told me specifically, because that's our business. 'But he's just really supportive and gave me that bit of advice.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Luke Humphries thanks Phil Taylor for ‘extra boost' after winning Premier League
Luke Humphries says a pep talk from Phil Taylor inspired him to become the Premier League champion. The world number one completed darts' 'triple crown' as he beat rival Luke Littler in the final at the O2 Arena in London, adding to his World Championship and World Matchplay wins. Advertisement He joined an esteemed list as only Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson had previously won all three prestigious tournaments. And the 30-year-old revealed chatting to Taylor – a six-time Premier League champion – helped him get over the line. 'To Phil Taylor, thank you so much. He has given me so much support,' he said. 'He has given me a lot of advice and an extra boost tonight. I'm really happy with that win. 'I'll keep it private between me and Phil. He just gave me confidence and was supportive of me. I think when you've got the greatest dart player in the world, showing a bit of support and belief in you, it makes you feel good. Advertisement 'It's always nice when someone believes in you, but when the best in the world, or was the best in the world, believes in you it feels good.' Humphries looked a good bet to dominate the sport until Littler came along 18 months, with the teenager's to the World Championship final kickstarting an enduring rivalry. They are streets ahead of the rest of the field and this was their 24th meeting in 18 months, with nine of them coming in this season's Premier League alone. Humphries revealed that Taylor's advice was centred on him rather than how to beat Littler. 'It wasn't anything to do with Luke. It was all about me,' he said. 'He's never going to give me advice on how to beat people. He's just going to give me advice about me. Advertisement 'It's all about me. He was telling me stuff about myself, about my just believing in me, to be honest. 'I would never, ever say anything that he's told me specifically, because that's our business. 'But he's just really supportive and gave me that bit of advice.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Luke Humphries shows true colours with Littler comment after Premier League win
Darting glory was tasted 12 months later for Luke Humphries as he expertly wielded his epee, defeating his rival in a record-breaking final before an ecstatic sell-out capacity of 14,000 fans at London's O2 arena. In a stunning reversal of fortunes from last year, Humphries clinched his first BetMGM Premier League title, securing the coveted Triple Crown of darts and pocketing a cool £275,000 in prize money. Although the duel between the two Lukes didn't always hit the expected heights, Cool Hand Luke's win now marks him as the holder of darts' three most prestigious accolades: the world championship, World Matchplay, and now the Premier League crown. The victory also saw him stave off Luke Littler, dubbed 'Luke the Nuke', from breaking through the £1 million earnings threshold in 2025 alone. Following his triumph, Humphries gushed with camaraderie and ambition, saying, "I love Luke to bits, he is one of my best mates on tour and we'll be teaming up at the World Cup of Darts next month. If we produce our best nobody's going to touch us." He went on to express his elation and sense of fulfilment, adding, "If I don't win another title, I'm happy because I've done the three hardest ones to do. I've joined an exclusive group of me, Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen", reports the Mirror. Humphries even paid homage to darting legend Phil Taylor, expressing gratitude with the words, "To Phil Taylor, thank you so much. He has given me so much support. He has given me a lot of advice and an extra boost tonight. I'm really happy with that win. I can retire now – I'm done! But seriously, I want to search for more. It makes me want to be a better player." A chuffed player boasted, "I've won eight major titles. Now it's important to finish the end of the season well." Littler admitted with a resigned tone, "Nobody likes losing but I'm glad it's over - it's been a tough 17 weeks and I'll be back next year." Backstage drama unfolded as both players expressed discontent over the playing conditions at the stage—supposedly due to a draught—and communicated their grievances to tournament officials during the interval. But regardless of their discomfort, Littler, at 18, saw his dreams of emulating darts greats Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen by retaining the Premier League title dissipate into thin air. In what was the ninth face-off between the two Lukes in this season's Premier League and undoubtedly the most lucrative, old scores were on the line. Last year's final had Humphries in control until Littler rolled out a nine-dart finish, effectively making off with the loot and securing his first TV major title at only 17 years old. With pandemonium breaking out in their last bout in Aberdeen just two weeks prior—where the treble 20 felt the wrath of Humphries' nine maximums and a sky-high average of 110, yet ironically he still faced defeat. Winning the backstage bull toss for who throws first may seem minor in other rivalries, but between these two, it's often pivotal given their razor-thin margins. Ever since Humphries clinched an epic World Championship final at Ally Pally 17 months ago, his contests with Littler have evolved, casting them as the best of adversaries. However, as Littler's performance began to falter, Humphries clinched the win with a double 10 - Littler's favourite - just before the first chimes of Nukes at Ten. The journey that started in Belfast early in February culminated with Humphries embracing his family in the VIP seats. Littler didn't fare too badly either - his £125,000 runner-up prize and six £10,000 bonus payments for winning half a dozen nights on the 16-week tour through seven countries is not your average teenager's pocket money. In his semi-final against fish-and-chip shop owner Gerwyn Price, it seemed like Littler was out of luck when he was trailing 6-4 at the break. Price had kicked away an object, possibly a bottle, which landed on stage before the start - whoever threw it needs a stern talking-to - but the Nuke seemed to lose his nerve initially. Five of the first seven legs went against the throw and the world champion missed 10 of his first 13 shots at a double. But Littler gave himself a pep talk during the interval and he shifted gears, taking six of the next seven legs to reach the final with a 104.64 average.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Luke Humphries battles back to dethrone Luke Littler in Premier League final
There have been seminal moments in time on darts' journey: the highs and the lows. But there have always been breakthrough moments that have opened the door for a bigger future and as Luke Humphries lifted the Premier League Darts trophy aloft here inside a sold-out O2, it was not unreasonable to assume where this game heads next. In the 1980s, it was Eric Bristow's pomp and circumstance while dominating in the slightly more low-key venues of Stoke's Jollees Cabaret Club and the Lakeside. Then it was Phil Taylor who dominated the PDC's formative years and, yes, while he had the odd rival along the way, it is a fair argument that the 16-time world champion single-handedly broke down barriers for the sport. But any good sport thrives on elite rivalries. Federer versus Nadal. Frazier versus Ali. Darts' newest boom has undoubtedly been supercharged by the arrival of Luke Littler but it takes two players to make a great rivalry and goodness, Littler and Humphries underlined how they are the dominant pair in this sport by some distance. In the end, it was Humphries, who became only the fourth man in history after Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson to win darts' triple crown of the world title, the World Matchplay and the Premier League, who would claim the £275,000 cheque and the title here. But what makes this rivalry special is that it is so unpredictable. This was their 23rd meeting – it is 13-10 in Littler's favour – and in barely 18 months they have contested two world finals and won one each, and now met in the last two Premier League finals, with Littler winning last year and Humphries here. Neither were quite at their brilliant best in the semi-finals, Littler defeating Gerwyn Price before Humphries knocked out Nathan Aspinall, but it almost felt like an inevitability that the two Lukes would meet in the final here. Littler, who plays with such an assurance that you could almost imagine him playing Taylor in the smoke-filled Circus Tavern in the 90s, started magnificently. He went into a 3-0 lead but just as they do every time they meet, Humphries responded to level the scores before the pair went tit-for-tat for 15 engrossing minutes. Whoever blinked first would be struck a fatal blow given the quality this duo possess and here, it was Littler who did that. Humphries made no mistake to win 11-8. 'That one means the world to me – it's the one I was missing,' Humphries, who has had Taylor in his corner in recent weeks offering him advice. If I don't win another title that's fine because I've won the three hardest ones to win. He wasn't at his best tonight and nor was I, but I managed to get one over on him. 'I'll get these wins in early before he trounces everyone.' Humphries, despite all of the hype that engulfs Littler, brings the best out of his rival and that can only be good for the game moving forwards. They will do this on many more occasions in the years to come – and who knows how much the venues and the interest can grow with this pair driving it. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion 'I'm fine. I had a little moment when I lost there, but I'm fine,' Littler said afterwards. It has on occasions felt like a matter of when, not if, Littler usurps Humphries at the top of the rankings and becomes the world No 1. That wait may have to go on for a while yet, but this rivalry will keep delivering for years to come. Darts' powerbrokers have struck gold not only with Littler, but with this epic pairing. These two will keep meeting in finals and keep sharing titles. The rest of the game has a long way to go to catch up: we can all sit back and enjoy it.
