Luke Humphries secured his second World Grand Prix title after producing an extraordinary comeback to beat Gerwyn Price 6-4 in a thrilling final.
Humphries, the first player in history to reach a four-year final, rallied from 3-0 down to win six of the next seven sets at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena to win his first major title of the year.
The former world champion averaged 93.16 and, not to be outdone, Humphries hit 10 maximums in a high-profile contest that Price controlled early on before crashing to a 105 finish in the deciding leg of the fourth set.
That check led to a run of four straight sets from Humphries, who took advantage of Price’s missing set darts to take a 5-4 lead and win five straight legs for an impressive victory.
It is the second time in four years that Humphries has beaten Price in a World Grand Prix final following his 5-2 win in 2023, with the Englishman claiming the £150,000 first prize and extending the Iceman’s wait for another TV host.
How Humphries claimed a comeback win over Price
Price needed just 34 darts to complete an extraordinary first set on straight legs, placing 12 darts to either side of the opening with six perfect darts to break Humphries by 10 darters.
Humphries got his first foot on the board at the start of the second leg but missed three darts to break Price, who punished him before firing out 101 and 82 on his way to opening up a two-set lead.
Humphries was dominated by Price in the early sets
Price took further control by breaking Humphries with another 101 in the third, where he fired 109 to save the set before watching the Welshman extend his lead in the final match.
Humphries needed a series of clutch doubles to go no further in the fourth as he took his first set to 105 on the last in response to Price’s 130 check on the bullseye.
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Luke Humphries had this remarkable 105 finish to take the fourth set from Gerwyn Price
Momentum swung further Humphries’ way as he went on a four-legged run to take the lead in the fifth and sixth, where Price had finishes of 99 and 94 before Humphries came back to close out the set.
A shell-shocked Price fell back for the first time when Humphries landed an 11-darter in the shootout and was broken in the next leg, the British pair continuing to improve as they wrapped up a fourth set in a row at 16.
The 2020 champion led in the ninth, but leveled the score after spending two sets of darts to pull away from victory, breaking a fluky opening leg and sweeping the eighth set.
Humphries took full advantage of the momentum by breaking Price and then going ahead with an extraordinary 10-darter to take the next set flat-footed and complete the victory with an 11-darter.
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Sensational stoppage time from Luke Humphries as he sealed a series win after THIS stunning 10-darter
Price missed chances as Humphries celebrated a ‘special’ win
Luke Humphriesbecame the fourth player to win multiple World Grand Prix titles:
“That’s really special, that barren major off my back. I think the biggest shot of my career was 180, 105 shots in the fourth set, like Gezzy [Price] 4-0 lead then game over. Then I relaxed at 3-1.
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Luke Humphries looks to stage an impressive comeback to claim his second World Grand Prix title
“I feel I deserve a major. Maybe I didn’t do it tonight because Gezzy was a better player, but I worked hard and showed determination and determination.
“A victory like this is sweeter than when you win easily. I can’t wait to take the trophy to my son so he can see that his father didn’t deserve second place!”
Luke Humphries became a two-time World Grand Prix champion
Second Gerwyn PriceWithout a major title since the 2022 World Series Finals in Amsterdam:
“I don’t want to win a master’s degree, do I?! Luke.” [Humphries] I played well in the middle part of the game, but I still missed opportunities, too many opportunities, to put him under pressure.
“It was a fantastic game and who took their chances. I missed a few in crucial moments. I thought I’d lose another grand final but I’ll get over it – I’m worried!”
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Gerwyn Price has reacted after losing to Luke Humphries in the World Grand Prix final and joked he was “not worried” about losing.
Mardle: Humphries didn’t lose under pressure
Sky Sports Darts’ Wayne Mardle:
“Humphries was in trouble, and then some more, then some more – so it was an incredible effort to get out of it. The last two sets were his best. He was there for over an hour, but he didn’t give up. He stood up to everything Gezzi threw at him, which was a lot!
“You have the confidence before, as Luke has done so many times and in so many ways, ‘I’m under pressure, but let’s see if my game can win,’ not ‘no, I’m going to lose.'” He played his game and won.
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Wayne Mardle reacts to Luke Humphries’ World Grand Prix win and how it sets him up for the rest of the year
“Gezzy has stepped up after a great start. He says things on the fly, but like in competition, he wants it. If you don’t care, you can’t play like him tonight!
“When you’re 3-0 up and you don’t win, it’s frustrating and frustrating, but he’s lost enough finals to know nothing is a given. He’s still young and will get more opportunities. He knows he’s good enough.”
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’ next live broadcast is the Grand Slam of Darts, with Littler both defending champions at Alexandra Palace from November 14-22, before the World Darts Championships begin at Alexandra Palace from November 14-22. Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream without any contract.