04/09/2023

Humphries seals third PDC ranking title of 2023, averts Doets scare to win Players Championship 20

Luke Humphries has added a third title of the season to his collection after victories on the European Tour and now a second Players Championship winning Event 20 on Monday evening in Barnsley.

It was an 8-6 win over maiden finalist, Kevin Doets which was anything but comfortable for 'Cool Hand Luke'. Despite it being a first final and a huge disparity in the rankings, Humphries didn't dominate like perhaps he would like. But always kept the Dutchman at arms length and pulled away when it mattered most.

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Humphries eased to an opening hold. An early break on double eight saw him go 2-0 up. Humphries failed to hold with a 41 checkout on double eight but Doets missed 66 and ‘Cool Hand Luke’ returned for double four for 3-0.

Doets finally got on the board on double eight. Humphries missed the big number on 58 and Doets punished to break back at 3-2. 110 finish saw Doets make it 3-3. He missed 128 on double 10 to break again and Humphries retook the lead on double four and went 5-3 up.

Doets pinned 115 to make it 5-4 down and he looked for parity. He sealed it after Humphries missed a chance to break. Humphries held to make it 6-5.

Doets cleaned up 87 to make it 6-6. Humphries took the chance of a lead away from Doets with a 100 checkout. Doets couldn’t find 105, with Humphries scoring magnificently with a 180 and 140 before laying up double 20 from 100 and he sealed it.