Luke Humphries is back in the winning circle. He is the 2026
World Grand Prix champion after overturning a 3-0 deficit against
Gerwyn Price
to
win 6-4 and double his title tally in this tournament in exceptional fashion.
It was a fourth
World Grand Prix final for both players,
consecutive for Humphries who had hoped to reverse the disappointment of 2024
and 2025 to repeat the events of 2023 when he took down Price to win his maiden
major title, and he replicated that with a tremendous comeback to seal a ninth
major title.
Price had dazzled at the start of the tournament in a brilliant
2-0 win over Sebastian Bialecki while averaging over 101. He is in a third
consecutive major final, the most recent coming against Ross Smith at the World
Series of Darts Finals. The Welshman got his revenge with a 3-0 win before surviving
three match darts against fellow countryman Jonny Clayton. While not at his
best against Nathan Aspinall, he still proved too good to win 5-2 and reach a
third major final on the spin.
Humphries was the first player to ever reach the final of
the
World Grand Prix four years in a row. Even Phil Taylor and Michael van
Gerwen had not achieved this incredible feat. He was not at his best throughout
the whole tournament but still proved too strong for anyone who dared to challenge
him. ‘Cool Hand Luke’ did not drop a set against Dave Chisnall, Jermaine
Wattimena and Niels Zonneveld before booking his spot in yet another World Grand
Prix final after taking down the two-time champion James Wade 5-3.
Price came out the blocks with a record average en route to a 3-0 lead. Humphries would win six of the next seven sets from that point onwards. Price's game was not sustainable, and his opponent continued to improve. Some incredible darts throughout made it a classic final, one in which Humphries triumphed in to finally end his major drought. For Price, his wait for more major silverware continues.
Humphries completes incredible turnaround for second World Grand
Prix title
Price began with a bang, leaving 56 after nine before seeing
it out in 12. As Humphries struggled to get in, ‘The Iceman’ went six darts into
the perfect leg and broke in 10 darts. There was no slowing down in the early
stages. Another 12-darter completed the first set in three and a half minutes
while averaging an astonishing 132.62 in one of the best World Grand Prix sets
ever played out, around 50 more points than Humphries.
He finally got on the board before his vulnerability on the
outer ring at the end of legs started to show, a problem that has bugged him in
the whole tournament. He could not break and was made to pay. Price broke in 12
darts before doubling his lead a leg later. Humphries missed the bull for what
would have been a show-stopping 167 checkout. Price took out 82 in three darts,
and his incredible start continued.
Price did not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. He made
it seven from eight legs with before storming clear as Humphries struggled to
start. Humphres was not playing well and was getting punished for it. A 101
finish culminated another leg on the Humphries throw to break, but that advantage
was extinguished with a bit of class by the 2023 champion with a 109 outshot.
This was while Price was on 56 for a 3-0 lead. He forced a decider for the set
but would not be able to muster up any response. Price took out 309 in five
darts, finishing 91 in two and was at the halfway stage.
Gerwyn Price started with a bang
It was another set where he averaged over 101, and Price was
relentless. A 100 checkout from Humphries was a positive start to set four but
a sloppy leg allowed Price to keep tabs. It could have got worse if Price
managed to find the bull for a 121. Humphries salvaged a 90 checkout on double
16. Price was more accurate on the bull in the next leg for a 130 finish. He
was in command of the final leg of the fourth set, but Humphries moved up the
gears. A 180 was swiftly followed by an important 105 checkout to finally get a
first set on the board.
Both players got off the mark with swift holds in a crucial
set. The gap at the end of it would either be one or three sets in favour of Price.
It would favour Humphries who took out checkouts of 73 and 43 to close the gap.
The tide was turning, and the momentum was in his camp.
Humphries could have made it 2-0 in the sixth set but wired
tops. A leg later, he was back under the cosh. The red target right at the top
of the board was found twice for a 99 checkout by Price in a brutal sucker blow
for the 31-year-old. He got over that pretty quickly. An eye-catching 74
checkout goes in two before he clinically saw out the set for a level tie.
Luke Humphries clawed his way back into contention
Price retook his lead as he tried to stamp his authority on
this contest once more. However, Humphries would not be kept at bay for too
much longer. An 11-dart hold was followed by 149 going out in four darts on
double 12, and for the first time in the match Humphries led. He cruised to a
fourth consecutive set, not forced to go to the bull for a 127 as Price
floundered. He was severely in trouble, unable to find those prior levels as
Humphries continued to improve. He took a commendable 4-3 lead and was in
command in this enthralling final.
Humphries had the chance to stride clear and extend his advantage,
but six missed darts including one effort on the five segment closer to the
treble proved costly. Price backed up the eventual break with a hold of throw
and moved within a leg of parity once more. He made it three from three in the
set with a best-of-three format for the rest of the contest confirmed.
This topsy turvey tie saw another leader in the form of
Price as Humphries kept pace. With Humphries on 60, the 92 had to go. Price
found 92 and lets out one of his biggest roars of the match, and the first for
some time. Set darts were missed by Price, and they proved to be so costly.
Humphries won the decider as Price faltered at a crucial time. No pressure was
put on double 16, and the 2024 world champion edged within one set of the
title.
An early lead was picked up by Humphries who managed to
easily hold throw and edged ever-so closer to the championship. Double 16 again
was not favourable for Price. Two are missed at that target, and Humphries
shows him how to do it with an 82 checkout. He finished with a flurry, taking out 76 in two to win his first ranking major title since the 2025 Winmau Masters. He reclaims the world number two spot and is back on the top of the world in Leicester.