05/02/2022

Humphries finally seals maiden PDC ranking title with victory over Searle at Players Championship 1

It is fifth time lucky for Luke Humphries as he has finally claimed his maiden PDC ranking title at Players Championship 1 defeating Ryan Searle 8-4 in the final.

Humphries has been knocking on the door for a long time and denied Searle who has become a real force on the ProTour including an incredible 161 checkout which proved the tide turner in the comeback of 'Heavy Metal' from 4-0 down.

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Searle went 4-0 down as Humphries surged away but he aimed to fight back and held throw to make it 4-2. But Humphries looked to respond with a 65 checkout only to get pegged back by a 117 checkout from Searle to make it 4-3.

Humphries stopped the rot though on double eight last dart. Searle looked to bring himself into the final again leaving a double after nine darts and Humphries denied him with a 161 checkout to devastate ‘Heavy Metal’.

A double eight saw Humphries hold to go one away. He hit a 180 from 220 to have a shot at the title and was set for it with Searle not getting a shot for 135. Humphries did not fluff his lines and hit double 20 for his first PDC ranking title.

Last 16

Kim Huybrechts (89.98) 5 | 6 (89.40) Krzysztof Ratajski

Ryan Searle (106.31) 6 | 1 (99.77) Jason Lowe

Peter Wright (108.09) 6 | 1 (89.87) Scott Williams

Jonny Clayton (104.75) 6 | 2 (92.25) Stephen Bunting

Jose de Sousa (89.49) 3 | 6 (95.98) Gary Anderson

Daryl Gurney (97.74) 6 | 3 (94.84) Lee Evans

Luke Humphries (97.14) 6 | 3 (92.47) Ritchie Edhouse

Joe Cullen (106.09) 6 | 0 (93.19) Dave Chisnall

Quarter-Finals

Krzysztof Ratajski (87.11) 1 | 6 (115.02) Ryan Searle

Peter Wright (107.36) 6 | 0 (92.69) Jonny Clayton