DISCUSSION | US Darts Masters - Luke Littler's frustration, lacklustre Gerwyn Price and a need for a US/Canadian double header?

The US Darts Masters took place over this past two days with a certain Luke Humphries finding his way into sealing the title. 'Cool Hand Luke' defied Luke Littler in the final 8-7.

But what are the leading talking points as the World Series continues to head on towards the Australia and New Zealand double header. Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price perhaps leave with more questions than answers?

As well as there being a need perhaps to head to the US for a prolonged stint on the World Series. Our writers discuss all of this as we leave the Big Apple for yet another year.

Lucas Michael, Editor for DartsNews.com remarked on the fact that Gerwyn Price was somewhat lacklustre when it came down to it in New York while also confounding in the fact that in his view we should be getting a double header in US/Canada due to the success of said events.

Another tournament, another absolute thriller between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. The pendulum has some what altered in the direction of ‘Cool Hand Luke’ in these past weeks and months, a welcoming change after that string of major defeats. Four of the last five contests have gone the way of Humphries, the only one Littler winning was the Premier League Darts Final.

Humphries will take so much positivity from that win. It is not normal to defeat Littler in a last-leg decider, and he showed why after leaving 86 after nine. However, on the Humphries throw the most effortless of 11-darters show why he is one of the best players in the world. From my perspective, you have Littler as number one. Humphries behind him, but that gap is closing. Then the likes of Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, etc, a long way back.

Onto the others competing, and it is a welcoming return to the latter stages of a tournament for van Veen. While he will leave with his head down and should do after throwing away a 6-3 lead in the semi-finals, he is still on the road back to his best. Maybe it is too soon for a crack at the World Matchplay, but if he can time a return to his imperious best later in the year when all the big major tournaments are on, then he could be one to watch.

Not sure what to think about Price in this current moment in time. He is still one of the best players in the world capable of defeating anyone that stands in his way, but you look at the stats, and it is a bit lacklustre. Yes, he has won two titles this year, but no major triumphs since 2022 (not including World Cup of Darts) is concerning and a bit surprising. He bows out in consecutive quarter-finals on the World Series with other stuff on his mind. For darts sake, Price needs to sort out his stuff away from the oche and return with a fresh mind and a motivation for glory. Similar to van Veen, timing could be crucial, especially with a quiet period following the World Matchplay.

Something that crossed my mind the other day was why does the USA, or to be broader North America, only have one World Series of Darts event. There is a double header in the Middle East and Oceania, which would on paper make it make sense that another event should, or could, be added in either the USA or even Canada. With darts a growing sport over there, this could be the case one day in the future. It may not be the most popular decision in the world due to the already packed schedule, but I can see a double-header possibly happening one day.

Samuel Gill, Head Editor for DartsNews.com agrees with the fact that in reality there are more questions than answers for some.

Luke Littler heads into a sort of purgatory now as he won't play again till the World Matchplay which will not sharpen the iron realistically and he very much as a result heads into a position where his desire not to play tour events is crass.

He lost to Luke Humphries in the final and both looked supremely good throughout the event. But both have picked and choosed, Humphries you have to say better off as he is still playing some events. But I think this honestly gives him an edge going into Blackpool.

While on the otherhand, Gerwyn Price is getting there some would say or is a bit of a concern at the World Matchplay others would muse. He hasn't been at his best for a while with health issues a bit of a concern.

Pieter Verbeek, Editor for DartsNieuws.com remarked that in reality for 'The Nuke' most of his next few months will be spent doing practice sessions over actually preparing for the World Matchplay so it is a blow in losing the final.

For the third time this year, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries faced off in a televised final, and for the third time the contest went all the way to a deciding leg. While Littler came out on top in both the World Masters and the Premier League Darts, this time it was Humphries who prevailed. The victory provides a significant confidence boost for the world No. 2 ahead of the second half of the season, when the sport's biggest titles will be up for grabs.

Humphries has been in outstanding form of late. Remarkably, he has reached the final in each of the last eight tournaments he has entered. The 2024 World Champion endured a disappointing spring campaign, but he now appears to have put that difficult spell firmly behind him.

For Littler, meanwhile, it will undoubtedly be another frustrating result in New York. Three appearances, three unsuccessful title bids. However, it was the first time that The Nuke reached the final at Madison Square Garden. It may also have been his final competitive outing before the prestigious World Matchplay (July 18-26). The English teenager has continued to skip Players Championship floor events throughout 2026 and will also miss the European Darts Open (July 10-12). As a result, Littler's preparation for the sport's traditional "Summer World Championship" will largely consist of practice sessions.

It was also encouraging to see Gian van Veen gradually rediscovering his best form. The world No. 3 had struggled for consistency after being sidelined by kidney stones in March, but he produced some excellent darts in New York. A superb 6-3 victory over Jonny Clayton, averaging 106, earned Van Veen a place in the semi-finals. There is still room for greater consistency, but GVV The Giant has a few more events to fine-tune his game before the season's biggest tournaments get underway.

Mats Leering, Editor for DartsNieuws.com praised Van Veen also for his return to form after recent health issues.

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have once again demonstrated at the US Darts Masters why they are currently the two best darts players in the world. The pair faced each other in a final for the third time this year, and after Littler had won the previous two encounters, it was Humphries who triumphed this time, successfully defending his title.

And what a final it was. It took a decisive final leg to determine the winner, and after nine darts, both men were under 100: Humphries on 41 and Littler on 86. In the end, it was ‘Cool Hand Luke’ who clinched the final with an 11-darter and an average of just over 104.

Yet it could just as easily have gone the other way, as in the semi-final, the Englishman found himself 6-3 down against Gian van Veen. However, he won four legs in a row to reach the final at the Dutchman’s expense. It was good to see Van Veen play so well. The Dutchman went through a difficult spell during the Premier League, partly due to kidney stones, but he seems to be gradually getting back into form.