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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Humphries makes Luke Littler claim ahead of World Cup of Darts
Luke Humphries is used to being enemies with Luke Littler on the darts circuit but soon they will put their rivalry aside for the World Cup of Darts - and he is excited by the prospect of them teaming up Luke Humphries can't wait to be Luke Littler 's team-mate at the World Cup of Darts next month - because they meet so often as rivals. Cool Hand Luke won the pair's NINTH shoot-out in 105 days to reaffirm his credentials as world No.1 with a clinical 11-8 triumph in the BetMGM Premier League play-offs final at London's O2 arena on Thursday night. Humphries became only the fourth man to complete the Triple Crown of darts - world title, World Matchplay and Premier League champion - after Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson. And his £305,000 prize money, including three £10k bonuses on the Thursday night circus tour, underlined him as 18-year-old sensation Littler's biggest threat to dominating the sport. Can I play you every week? Humphries would have no complaints if that's how it unfolds - even if it risks diluting their box-office rivalry through sheer repetition. He said: 'If it's me and Luke in the final of every tournament, you will see us playing each other 40 or 50 times a year. If we play in every Players Championship on the floor and European Tour event, plus every TV major and every Premier League, that's what could happen. 'But the only reason we play each other so much is because we end up making the finals - I don't know how you stop it. People talk about changing the Premier League format, but why would I want to change it when I reached the final one year and won it the next? 'The magnitude of darts now is such that we could meet three or four times a week if we made every final. But if you are the two best players in the world, performing so well, and making the final every week, that's how it works. "I would not even dream of suggesting they change the Premier League format - it's up to the PDC, they know what they are doing. The fans still come in their thousands, it still gets good numbers on Sky Sports. It's up to people like me to work hard and win titles. Let's not change it.' Littler, who ran out of gas at the O2 after topping the Premier League table for almost four months, and Humphries will fly the flag for defending champions England at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. Luke the Nuke said: 'I can't wait for the World Cup. He won it last year, so now he can lead me to victory.' Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis, the pairing who won it four times in five years between 2012-16, say the Two Lukes will take some stopping - and Humphries agrees. He said: 'It will take good darts to beat us. They will have to play well. We have got a lot of pressure on our shoulders, but we will thrive on it. I love Luke, I think he's a good kid and a close friend of mine in darts. When I am around him, we always speak, we always chat. He's a great kid. 'It's always nice to share the stage with him. Of course, he will probably win more than I will ever win in my career because he's so young and he's a great talent. I am happy when I nab one here and there, but I am sure he will get me back many times in the future. 'It's another final in the Luke and Luke saga. The next big one is the World Cup, between all the big nations, and I really want to win that again. I will hopefully guide Luke to World Cup glory, and I hope our rivalry continues. But there is always someone else that comes around the corner. In five years' time there could be 10 players as good as me and Luke. 'I'd love to say over the next 10 years we will battle it out over many finals. We probably will. But there will probably be a lot of other names in and around and involved with us."
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days 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.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Humphries beats Littler to get Premier League revenge
World number one Luke Humphries gained revenge on Luke Littler as he won a pulsating final to win the Premier League for the first time. After losing to world champion Littler in last year's final, Humphries triumphed 11-8 in the repeat as the world's top two duked it out at O2 Arena. The emergence of Littler has often seen Humphries referred to as 'the other Luke' but this was his moment as he completed the triple crown of the World Championship, World Matchplay and now the Premier League. "That one means the world to me. It's the one I was missing," Humphries told Sky Sports. "I said in all my pre-match build-up the last few days that it was the one I wanted. "I've done it now. If I don't win another title I will happy, because I've won the three hardest ones now." It was the 23rd match between the pair and Littler, who beat Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals, made a fantastic start to race into a 3-0 lead. Both players showed signs of nerves with a number of errors in a tense opening, and Humphries was able to miss five darts at double and still break back before taking out 130 to level at 3-3. There was still nothing to separate them at the break - one that seemed to benefit both players as the standard sky-rocketed after the resumption. Humphries, in particular, came out firing. He broke with an 11-darter and moved two legs clear with a 12-dart hold. Another 11-darter made it 8-6 and while Littler was holding throw reasonably comfortably, he was unable to put the requisite pressure on the Humphries throw. There were still nervy moments for Humphries and he went all the way down to double two before moving 10-8 ahead before managing to break once more, finishing on double 10 to clinch victory and take the £275,000 prize money. For Littler, who edged it 100.29 to 97.86 on the averages, a remarkable campaign that saw him set a points record in the league phase and claim a record six nightly wins ends in disappointment. It might have been different had he been better on the outer ring, where he was just eight of 27 for 29.6%. Although, Humphries was only fractionally more clinical at 29.7%. "I had a little bit of a thing after the game - nobody likes losing - but I'm fine," Littler told Sky Sports. "I am glad to say the Premier League is over - it's been a tough 17 weeks. Happy it's over, and I came runner-up, but I will be back next year." Humphries can celebrate coming on top in the latest instalment of a rivalry that looks set to run and run but that will be put on hold soon as Humphries and Littler prepare to team up for England at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt in June. 'Look at him crying' - Littler's rise in his own words Premier League Darts final schedule and prize money The night began with Price threatening an upset against Littler in the first semi-final. The Welshman put his teenage opponent under pressure immediately with two early breaks of throw - in a match that had eight in total - but each time, Littler responded. However, Price went into the first mini break leading 6-4 with Littler, who admitted to nerves early on, storming off the stage with a face like thunder. But when play resumed, the Littler who topped the league phase in record-breaking fashion emerged and he proceeded to win six of the next seven legs - including the last four - to take it 10-7 and progress in style. While Littler was able to relax backstage ahead of the final, Humphries and Nathan Aspinall were involved in an almighty tussle in the second semi-final. Both players finished with averages in excess of 100 with the match tied at 5-5 at the break. Just like Littler, Humphries stepped it up in the second half and ramped up the pressure on Aspinall. The man from Stockport dug in though, and hit a brilliant 124 checkout - finishing on the bull - to level at 7-7 just as Humphries looked certain to break. 'Cool Hand' eventually secured the crucial break to go up 9-7 and completed the job in the next leg to set up the mouth-watering final most had expected. Final Luke Littler 8-11 Luke Humphries Semi-finals Luke Littler 10-7 Gerwyn Price Luke Humphries 10-7 Nathan Aspinall
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shock World Cup warning for England power pair Luke Littler and Luke Humphries
Red-hot English favourites not guaranteed to fire says Vincent van der Voort Power pair Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have been handed a shock World Cup warning. The two best players on the planet are red-hot favourites to win darts' showpiece team event in Frankfurt next month. Humphries, who won 12 months ago alongside partner Michael Smith, is confident he and Littler can do the business. But ex-Dutch World Cup ace Vincent ver Doort is convinced his nation can pull off a shock success. Michael van Gerwen has opted to go on holiday leaving Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen to try and get the job done for their country. But van der Voort said: 'If both of them play well, they absolutely can beat England. It's all pairs matches, after all, which is different to singles. A strong partnership becomes even more important. Individual talent comes second. That's what determines whether you're a good team or not. You can't just assume two good players automatically make a good pair.' Speaking on the Darts Draait Door podcast, he added: 'I really like the World Cup of Darts because you get to see a wide range of countries and players. But I'm not exactly excited about Littler and Humphries as a duo. I'm not curious to see what they'll do. You just expect them to win. You hope there are a few countries that can really push them. Because if this is the new standard, it's going to be very tough for everyone else. There aren't many nations who stand a real chance against them.' Scotland Gary Anderson and Peter Wright and Wales' Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton are other formidable duops facing the nuclear Lukes. Humphries said: 'The two best players in the world, a lot of pressure is going to be on our shoulders. I think everybody is expecting us to win it and no one's going to touch us. There are great teams in there. The likes of Gezzy and Jonny are a potential banana skin. Gian is playing really well. Him and Danny, if they get going, that's a tough team. Gary and Peter, Peter's playing better again now. But if me and Luke gel and everything goes well, it's going to be an incredibly tough performance to beat us both.'
Irish Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Luke Littler left fuming by 'scum of the earth' while playing darts exhibition
Luke Littler was livid after his team's van was trashed by vandals during an exhibition in Norwich. The reigning world champ was joined by darts legends Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld for the MODUS Icons of Darts night out in Norfolk. The Nuke made headlines, beating Luke Humphries in the final to add another chapter to their burgeoning rivalry. Post-match, Littler was left gutted as he found the back window of his Mercedes van smashed in. Taking to Instagram, he shared a snap of the damage with his followers. Littler didn't mince words in his caption: "Just trying to do an exhibition in Norwich and this happens, absolute scum of the earth." The vandalism happened on the closing day of Epic Studios' MODUS event, set in the heart of Norwich city. The organisation is known for throwing non-PDC dart events that feature today's heavy-hitters, online sensations, and blasts from the past, reports the Express. Littler triumphed over Humphries not long before news dropped that they'd be teaming up for next month's World Cup of Darts. Touted as heavy favourites, they're poised to scoop the prize in Frankfurt owing to their recent reign over the sport. Earlier in the week, Humphries backed their all-star duo to deliver the goods at the cup, with Cool Hand claiming it'll take something special for any competitors to take them down. "I think everybody is expecting us to win it and no one's going to touch us," he shared with the Weekly Dartscast. "There are some great teams in there, the likes of Gezzy [Price] and Jonny [Clayton] are a potential banana skin. "Gian van Veen is playing really well. Him and Danny [Noppert], if they get going, that's a tough team. Gary [Anderson] and Peter [Wright], Peter's playing better again now. "These are all potential banana skins, but if me and Luke gel and everything goes well, it's going to be an incredibly tough performance to beat us both."
