Sky Sports Darts pundit Wayne Mardle reckons Luke Humphries is a double World Grand Prix champion after coming from 3-0 down against Gerwyn Price to win 6-4 in a double-start …
I could be wrong, but a few years ago I don’t think Luke would have entered a game like this to win.
It was sheer belief: guts and determination that you could do it – and he could do it against anyone from any position.
When you’ve won before, and Luke has done it so many times and in many, many ways, there’s a confidence of ‘I’m under pressure but let’s see if I settle into my game and I can win’ instead of ‘no, I’m going to lose 6-0 or I’m going to be embarrassed’.
He played his game and won. I’m not saying it’s that simple, but sometimes it needs to be simplified.
When he won the fourth set, he relaxed and Price stepped up.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Humphries’ 105 check proved crucial in Leicester to deny Price a 4-0 lead in the final
Humphries was in trouble, and then some more and then some more – so it was an incredible effort to get out of it.
The last two sets were his best.
He was under the ship for more than an hour, but did not fall. He stood up to everything Gezzi threw at him, which was a lot.
Luka can now go to the World Championship with the mindset of “someone stop me”. To do this, set-play registers and sticks with you.
If Humphries and Price meet in the World Finals, something could happen. It’s all about one-on-one mastery.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Humphries explains why the World Grand Prix victory – his first major crown in over a year – means so much to him
Switch to price and he says it all instantly, but he wants it the way the competition does. If he doesn’t care, you can’t focus on him like you did in the final.
It’s frustrating and disappointing when you’re 3-0 up and you don’t win, but he’s lost enough finals to know that nothing is a given.
He is still young and will get more opportunities. He knows he is good enough.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Gerwyn Price regretted “missed opportunities” after surrendering a huge lead against Humphries and failing to win a major since 2022.
But let’s get this straight, the way Humphries played the last two sets – 106 average and 107 average – is unplayable.
Gezzy can’t beat himself up too much.
What’s next?
The European Tour season continues with the Swiss Darts Cup (October 9-11) and the Dutch Darts Championship (October 16-18) before the European Championships in Dortmund, Germany, October 22-25.
Sky Sports remains the home of darts live with the Grand Slam of Darts (14-22 November) and the World Championship of Darts (10 December-3 January). Stream darts and more via NOW with no contract.