Luke Littler continues major dominance at Winmau World Masters with penultimate piece of darting puzzle won in final thriller with Luke Humphries

Luke Littler has one of only two major titles missing off his list defeating Luke Humphries 6-5 in the final of the 2026 Winmau World Masters confounding his darting rival to another major final loss.

Littler was 5-4 down against Humphries but pounced on mistakes and kicked into gear and after surviving a match dart against Gerwyn Price in the last round has survived another close one here against his main rival.

Both now head to the Premier League Darts on Thursday where likely they will duke it out again as Humphries will look to put disappointment behind him in the last major he currently held on his CV while for Littler, his darting dominance continues as he has won almost all majors in the last 12 months.
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To start the final, it was a 51 checkout to open for Humphries. Littler missed the bull for 143 but returned with Humphries missing darts for 74. A 66 checkout though saw 'Cool Hand Luke' seal the opener.

Littler looked to hit straight back with a 153 to open the second set albeit he missed darts to break and Humphries held for 1-1. But Littler hit a 13-darter to pin double 10 as Humphries could only pressure with a 180.

An incredible 11-darter from the Nuke saw him open the third set and he claimed a 2-1 sets lead from there. Littler went on a tear of multiple 121 checkouts and went 3-1 up and halfway to the win.

Kicking off the next set, Humphries broke back for a 10-darter after Littler missed a third different way for 121. Littler missed 116 and Humphries hit double 10 for 3-2 down. A 17-darter on double 10 saw Humphries level up sealing parity at 3-3.

This saw the stakes increase as Littler missed chances but Humphries couldn't pin double 20 and Littler broke for 2-1 to go 4-3 up. Humphries was on 141 for a nine-dart finish but again he wilted on the doubles as Littler held to go towards 5-3.

Humphries held with an 81 checkout after Littler missed 121 on the bull and it was 4-4. A 108 checkout after 117 missed by Littler narrowly saw Humphries hold for 1-0. Littler held but Humphries held to go one away on double 18 at 5-4 up.

But the break came at the wrong time as Littler won the last four legs amid Humphries making mistakes as he pinned double 10 for the title.

It was more plain sailing for one Luke than the other as Luke Littler survived a match dart at double 20 from Gerwyn Price who perhaps should believe it should've been him facing Luke Humphries in the final.

It was a superb smash and grab from The Nuke who did most of the early running in the clash. He lead at the first interval as he took the first set in successive legs averaging 105.7 with six 180's to his name. The Iceman hit back to edge the fourth set in a deciding leg and restore parity with four 180's and a 103.7 average.

Littler missed chances to hold on multiple occasions but Price couldn't pin 76 making a mess of the leg which allowed Littler to hold. Littler broke with a 14-darter on double 10 to go ahead again in sets at 3-2.

It was a quick fire return for Price who after Littler missed 153 returned for double 10 to break and make it 3-3. Littler hit.a 14-darter for 1-0 holding in set seven. 42 was missed by Price and further darts allowed Littler to break and go 4-3 up. Price superbly broke with a 106 checkout and he made it 4-4. Price broke with a 73 checkout and was throwing for the win. Price missed a match dart at 107 and Littler hit double two to make it 1-1. Price fails to take out 60 and there was Littler with double 10 to win.

While on the otherhand, Luke Humphries lost just one leg in an absolute drubbing of Gian van Veen with a 109 average from 'Cool Hand Luke' who very much sent a statement saying I'm not going to lie down against Littler winning 5-0.

It was an emphatic opener for Humphries who broke with an 81 checkout for an 11-darter and swept the opening set 2-0. Humphries' perfect start continued as Van Veen missed chances to break back and Humphries was there again to go 2-0 up. He held with a 10-darter after missing a chance at a nine-dart finish and held throw as Humphries was nearly at 3-0 without losing a leg.

Humphries was sat waiting to pounce again as Van Veen needed a 152 checkout to finally get a leg. He got it to make it 1-1 but a 91 checkout for a 12-darter saw Humphries make it 3-0.

Humphries was battled late with only a third leg but Van Veen missed 70 and Humphries thumped in double 20 in what was a whitewash statement from Humphries.