HUMPHRIES IS THE CHAMPION! Luke Humphries defeats Rob Cross to win his second European Tour title in a month! 'Cool Hand' lived up to his nickname as Cross piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the final.
Luke Humphries has prevailed in Prague winning the 2022 Czech Darts Open by defeating Rob Cross 8-5 in the final and sealing his second European Tour title of the season in the process.
It is also a third overall ranking title of the season for 'Cool Hand Luke' after previously starting the season with no senior titles to his name.
In the final, he sealed it with a 100 average, five 180's and 47% on the doubles in a highly entertaining battle with 'Voltage' who continues his barren run of no European Tour titles.
A 180 and double 20 saw Humphries hit the front to go 1-0 up with a throw. Cross had a chance to hit back and had to readjust but hit double 16 to make it 1-1.
A 96 checkout saw Humphries break again to make it 2-1. He backed that up on double eight to make it 3-1 to stop the run of breaks. ‘
Two 180’s in a leg weren’t followed up as he handed Humphries a golden chance to break as he went 4-1 up. He missed the bull for a 167 and Cross returned for a 145 checkout to break back and make it 4-2.
A 56 checkout saw Cross make it 4-3 but Humphries held to edge closer to the finishing line at 5-3 but he failed to capitalise on a break chance which allowed ‘Voltage’ to pin a 112 checkout to cut the gap again to 5-4.
Humphries missed a 70 checkout but Cross missed the board completely on a 67 only to return anyway looking at 60 with ‘Cool Hand’ chasing round and losing his cool which he pinned at 5-5.
Humphries produced another maximum to leave 78 in case Cross didn’t pin 137 to hold which he didn’t and the Newbury ace broke to make it 6-5.
It was a fifth 180 and Cross hit back himself but Humphries slammed the door shut with an 82 checkout to go 7-5 up. He gave Cross a chance at 107 or he would have the chance at 24 to win and he pinned double six to seal it.
HUMPHRIES IS THE CHAMPION! Luke Humphries defeats Rob Cross to win his second European Tour title in a month! 'Cool Hand' lived up to his nickname as Cross piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the final.