"Actually looking forward to playing darts again": Luke Humphries 'nice and refreshed' ahead of Players Championship Finals defence

Luke Humphries begins his title defense at the Players Championship Finals on Friday night with a duel against Gabriel Clemens. 'Cool Hand Luke' won the tournament last year by defeating Michael van Gerwen 11-9 in the final. Humphries feels ready for another title after a disappointing Grand Slam of Darts.

Humphries has already been particularly successful this year with final wins at the World Cup of Darts (alongside Michael Smith) and the World Matchplay after his world title in early January. He also won two European Tour tournaments, a Players Championship and a World Series of Darts tournament. 'Cool Hand Luke' is first in the world rankings with a big lead over number two, Michael Smith. Humphries is therefore considered a top favorite to every tournament he participates in. His last major ended in a stalemate, however, when he lost in the group stage of the Grand Slam of Darts.

The 29-year-old Englishman therefore comes to Minehead with renewed ambitions and is absolutely keen to extend his title in order to head towards the PDC World Darts Championship with a lot of confidence. "I'm feeling nice and refreshed, and I'm actually looking forward to playing darts again now," said Humphries.

"My last three appearances in Minehead have led to a semi-final, a win and a final; I've made the final session of the last three events down there, which is a really good feeling for me.

Humphries will take on Gabriel Clemens in the first round.  "It gives me great confidence to know that this is a certain place where I go and will always perform.""

By the way, the winner of the match between Humphries and Clemens will meet a Dutchman in the second round anyway. That one comes from the duel between Chris Landman and Raymond van Barneveld.