"A lot of people discredited me said about standing no chance" - Humphries pleased to prove doubters wrong with Van Gerwen win
PDC
Luke Humphries heads into the final day of the Grand Slam of Darts later today after seeing off Michael van Gerwen in a 16-10 win where despite both not being at their best, 'Cool Hand Luke' dominated in periods and could've been an even more comfortable winner reaching the semi-finals.
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"I am delighted. I think a lot of people discredited me said about standing no chance being the first to 16 legs but I just proved them wrong. The averages 95, 96 weren't the best in the world but there were a lot of missed doubles in there especially from Michael.
"I had a lot of clutch finishes and that gave me control to go on and win the game. I don't think we were nervous, we were just trying too hard to get a big lead on each other.
"I think the last 16 legs from the break, I thought I played really well, I was much more clinical and much more like a champion would be because if I played like I did in the first 10 legs, I wouldn't be winning this title no way."
But he is not getting ahead of himself in terms of winning the title and believes it will be a good day regardless.
"I'm not going to get ahead of myself because there's a long way to go so it's going to be a lot of ups and downs tomorrow. But I have envisioned myself winning a major and I know I can do it but there are players waiting to win one. Two of us have never won one, one has and Barney has won loads but I think it's going to be an exciting day of darts."
He also spoke more about the Van Gerwen effect and how he was discounted as soon as he stepped on the oche and that 18 months ago he likely wouldn't have won.
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"People discount you when you play Van Gerwen saying you've got no chance playing first to 16 as he's too strong but I proved there if you stick in there. The resilience I've gained in the last 18 months, I've gained that mental strength and not let it affect me."
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- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026