Cynical Price hits out on social media: “Gonna stop and watch the Luke-Luke final”

Gerwyn Price failed to add the Bahrain Darts Masters 2026 to his résumé. The Iceman did beat reigning world champion Luke Littler in the quarterfinals, but he had to settle for a 7-2 defeat against Michael van Gerwen in the semifinals.

Price had impressed in the quarterfinals. Against Littler, who was unbeaten in TV matches for 21 games, The Iceman showed no signs of nerves. With controlled play and an average well into the 90s, he came through 6-2.

It boded well for his semifinal against Van Gerwen. But Price, who after his opening match had said he had barely practiced following his early exit at the recent World Championship, never found his usual rhythm against Van Gerwen.

In the end he even dipped below a 90 average, far from enough for a player of his calibre. The 40-year-old Welshman went down 7-2 and saw the final, and a possible title, slip away.

But Price wouldn’t be Price if he didn’t head to social media afterwards to share his thoughts. “Gutted to lose there, didn't feel good all night,” he wrote on his Instagram stories.

He then signed off with a cynical nod to Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. “Gonna stop and watch the Luke-Luke final though...”

That last remark was, of course, not accurate, as Price had already beaten Littler and Humphries had also fallen in the quarterfinals to Nathan Aspinall. The title ultimately went to Van Gerwen, who proved too strong for Gian van Veen in the final with an 8-6 win.

Price, however, gets a quick chance to respond next week when he competes at the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters.