Luke Humphries became just the fourth man to win the World Championship and World Matchplay in the same year after a dramatic triumph over Michael van Gerwen in Blackpool.
The world No 1, who won at Alexandra Palace in January, cemented his position at the summit of the sport with a stunning 18-15 win over Van Gerwen at the Winter Gardens.
Victory sees him join the Dutchman, Phil Taylor and Peter Wright in winning the two most prestigious competitions in the same year.
The match could have gone either way, with Van Gerwen missing four darts to make it 16-16 as Humphries claimed a maiden Matchplay title.
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Humphries won his maiden World Matchplay title with this ton out on tops-tops
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Humphries says he will be watching his winning tops-tops checkout again and again after winning the World Matchplay
“I am really blessed to be up on this stage in this great sport. To put my name on the Phil Taylor Trophy means the world to me,” Humphries told Sky Sports.
“I’ve just got to a level where I feel really comfortable. I’ve worked incredibly hard on my game and this is the reward I get for it.”
Victory sees Humphries join Van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and Peter Wright in winning the two most prestigious competitions in the same year.
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Humphries celebrated winning the World Matchplay in style
Since Humphries was beaten in the Matchplay semi-final 12 months ago he has made eight finals in 10 major tournaments, winning seven of them in a stellar year where he has consistently been the best player, with only Luke Littler for competition.
And he has a hoodoo over Van Gerwen as this was the eighth-straight victory over the Dutchman, who was eyeing a fourth title in Blackpool.
Van Gerwen was hoping to end a lean 12 months by winning his biggest tournament since the 2023 Premier League but came up short against the Humphries juggernaut.
It was an enthralling battle that could have gone either way and Van Gerwen will be leaving with regrets as he had four darts to level at 16-16 and then another three to make it 17-16.
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‘Cool Hand’ recovered from a bounce out to hit this ‘Zeus-like’ 141
But Humphries claimed a maiden title in Blackpool and a £200,000 payday, by taking out 100 as his domination continued.
Van Gerwen said: “We all know I didn’t start off the game very well, but I had my chances. I made mistakes but I also felt I was the better player. I have to do a little bit more.
“I always battle, but when you keep missing doubles it can be such a frustrating game sometimes.
“People need to know I never give up.
“I’m going to make [this rivalry with Humphries] really difficult in the next couple of years. I just felt I deserved a little bit more.”
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Van Gerwen felt he had his chances to win the World Matchplay and deserved more
What’s next on Sky Sports?
Luke Humphries lifted the World Grand Prix title in Leicester last year
The 2024 BoyleSports World Grand Prix is next on the Sky Sports darting calendar.
The annual £600,000 tournament will take place at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester from October 7-13, as 32 of the world’s top stars compete for the coveted title which was won by Luke Humphries.
Humphries celebrated his maiden TV ranking title with victory over Gerwyn Price in last year’s tournament, and the world No 1 will return to defend his title later this year.
Six-time champion Michael van Gerwen is also set to star, with teenage superstar Luke Littler poised to make his double-start debut in the East Midlands.
In a change to last year’s format, Saturday’s semi-finals on October 12 will be contested over the best of nine sets, with the final set to be played over the best of 11 sets on Sunday, October 13.
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Here’s a look back at last year’s thrilling World Grand Prix final in Leicester
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