"He took some comments personally" - Mark Webster praises Luke Humphries for channeling criticism in the right way with Euro Tour title win

Luke Humphries managed to claim the title at the 2026 Belgian Darts Open last weekend. ‘Cool Hand Luke’ proved too strong for Jonny Clayton in the final in Wieze, winning 8-6.

The debate around Luke Humphries’ form has flared up more often in recent weeks, but those looking closely won’t see a player in decline, but rather a top performer who, at key moments, has just fallen short of his usual ruthless efficiency.

“I don’t think there’s been a massive drop-off. He just hasn’t been clinical enough at the right momemts,” explains former top darter Mark Webster on Sky Sports.

It’s a nuance that says a lot about Humphries’ status. The Englishman is now judged by the very highest standards. His scoring power remains impressive, his rhythm reliably solid, but at the top level the details decide it. And that’s exactly where he let chances slip in recent weeks.

What stood out was his demeanor on stage when things didn’t go his way. Frustration was clearly visible, something that didn’t go unnoticed. “I haven’t liked his body language when he's getting beat but that's just general frustration,” Webster said.

Last weekend, however, Humphries delivered the perfect answer to all doubts at the Belgian Darts Open. Not with words, but with performances. He surged to the title and did so convincingly. “It was a big win for him this weekend,” came the conclusion. And it certainly was.

A notable detail was the extra edge with which Humphries approached the oche. Triggered by some remarks by influencer Charlie Murphy, which clearly got under his skin. Instead of letting himself be distracted, he used the criticism as fuel. “He was fired up, he took some comments personally, but he used them in the right way and it got him success,” analyses Webster.

"The best way to respond to criticism is to go out and put a performance in," adds the former Lakeside champion. "He was a deserving winner at the weekend. He looked confident and it could be a stepping stone for Luke Humphries."

One point of focus remains. In the Premier League Darts, Humphries is still waiting for his first nightly win of the season. For a player of his quality, that’s a statistic that will gnaw at him.

“We judge him on high standards, but like I said; I don't think the drop off has been massive," Webster concludes. "He's not won a Premier League night, but he's won a ProTour, he's won a European Tour. I'm still expecting big things from Luke Humphries this year."