"But when that changes, will they keep winning? I don’t think so": Gerwyn Price believes Humphries and Littler's fortune will soon alter

Gerwyn Price admitted he had to dig deep to overcome a heavy schedule and a stubborn Martin Schindler as he battled into the final day of the 2025 Players Championship Finals with a 10–6 victory in Minehead.

Price, the tournament’s top seed following his dominant Pro Tour season, followed up an impressive afternoon win with a composed evening display — though he conceded the quick turnaround between matches caught him by surprise.

“I think I’ve done alright,” Price said. “I kept my head in the game, especially in the middle part. At the first break I was 3–2 down and frustrated because I felt like I should have been ahead. Same at the second break — I felt like I should have been up. But I kept myself cool and concentrated right through the game. I think I played way better than him, but he was just hanging in there.”
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Price’s noticeably calmer demeanour on stage prompted questions, but the Welshman insisted fatigue — not tactics — was the reason.

“I didn’t realise it was going to be such a quick turnaround,” he explained. “I thought I’d be second or third on. Then the email came through and I was back on — literally an hour turnaround. I’m probably a bit more tired than I would’ve been if I’d had an extra hour in my room. It’s hard — like the European Tour, quick turnarounds are tough.”

Despite that, Price still showed flashes of his explosive scoring, and even a louder walk-on music mix didn’t go unnoticed. “I don’t think Sky or anyone wants me to keep it,” he joked. “But I’m keeping it.”

Though the former World Champion sits atop the Pro Tour rankings and has reached at least the quarter-finals in the majority of televised events this year, he feels his season has been overlooked — largely, he says, due to missed chances.

“That’s my own fault,” he admitted. “I’m missing opportunities. Today I could have gifted the game to Martin and been out in another last 16. That’s happened all year. But I’m getting there, and hopefully this is the one I pick up to give me a boost for the Worlds.”

Price has long said he still isn’t hitting his highest gears, and he reiterated that sentiment.

“I need to take my opportunities. I keep letting people off the hook. I’ve got them by the… you know what… and then I let them go. Sometimes it bites me, but tonight it didn’t. Fingers crossed tomorrow I take them all.”

Price’s renewed commitment to fitness over the past year has been a recurring theme, and he believes it could prove pivotal as he faces a possible three-match slog on the final day.

“The Europeans are tough and this is similar — one less game in the evening but similar legs overall,” he said. “It’s better to be in shape than out of shape. It gives you confidence. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow no matter what, but fingers crossed I can last the whole day.”

Price now faces Daryl Gurney after the Northern Irishman survived ten match darts in a dramatic clash with Adam Lipscombe. Price doesn’t believe that escape gives his rival any added advantage.

“I’ll just go out and play my game like I always do,” he said. “I know I’m playing well and I’m in a good headspace. If I take my opportunities, I’ll win. If I don’t, it’ll be a tough battle.”

Luke Humphries’ shock first-round exit, after winning the title in back-to-back years, hasn’t altered Price’s mindset despite their recent meeting. “When I lost to Luke last week, I felt he played better,” Price reflected. “But watching some clips back, he was pretty timely — big shots at the right time. Otherwise it could’ve gone the other way. At the minute, the two Lukes are having the rub of the green. But when that changes, will they keep winning? I don’t think so.”

He added: “You need the rub of the green to win tournaments. Even though Luke didn’t win the final, he had it against me. He scored well, I didn’t. Those key moments went in his favour. Somewhere down the line, that’ll change.”

With belief in his form and his fitness, Price now eyes a deep run. “I’ve felt from day one that I’m playing well. I’m not worried about anyone else. I just need to keep performing — and fingers crossed, I will tomorrow.”