🗣️ “When you’re on the big stage, I feel better than ever!” Luke Humphries reflects on his first Players Championship title of the year, while also looking ahead to his first major title defence that starts Monday. bit.ly/PDCTVLive | #PC26
"These are the moments I live for now" - Luke Humphries raring to go for Bunting return clash at World Grand Prix
PDCFriday, 04 October 2024 at 08:00
Luke Humphries has won the 26th Players Championship of the year. 'Cool Hand Luke' was 8-7 too strong for Stephen Bunting in the final in Wigan. The 29-year-old therefore seems to be in form just in time to successfully defend his title at the World Grand Prix, which starts next Monday in Leicester. Remarkably, Humphries is already defending the title in the first round against, yes, Bunting.
It was only the first Players Championship title this year for the reigning world champion. Afterwards, therefore, an overjoyed Humphries stood before the cameras. “This was important for me,” emphasized Humphries, for whom it was the first ranking final since his World Matchplay title in mid-July.
“You go through spells where you’re playing fantastic darts, and then you go through spells where you can’t buy a win, and that can happen. I’m dedicated to this sport and I know I can push the levels higher and higher, but it’s important to gain a bit of confidence from somewhere.”
Luke Humphries in action
Once again Bunting
The Players Championship final was already a warm-up for next Monday, when Humphries will take on Bunting again in the first round of the World Grand Prix. Humphries starts the tournament as the defending champion.
“When you’re on the big stage, it feels different. I feel better than ever on that big stage,” added the World Champion. "I know I’ve got a really tough game against Stephen because he’s usually so strong on his doubles, but these are the moments I live for now.
“I want to play the best and be involved in these great games, and hopefully it’s a great World Grand Prix. I would love to retain it.”
Results Players Championship 26
Final
Luke Humphries (93.84) 8 | 7 (96.92) Stephen Bunting
Semi-final
Luke Humphries (98.79) 7 | 6 (95.84) Luke Woodhouse
Stephen Bunting (100.51) 7 | 6 (96.92) Raymond van Barneveld
Quarterfinals
Luke Humphries (97.61) 6 | 5 (101.71) Dave Chisnall
Luke Woodhouse (91.53) 6 | 3 (94.86) Christian Kist
Raymond van Barneveld (92.43) 6 | 5 (94.12) Danny Noppert
Stephen Bunting (101.81) 6 | 4 (97.06) Robert Owen
Last 16
Dave Chisnall (98.89) 6 | 5 (88.06) Ritchie Edhouse
Luke Humphries (99.68) 6 | 2 (99.19) Josh Rock
Christian Kist (99.11) 6 | 4 (94.31) Daryl Gurney
Luke Woodhouse (92.43) 6 | 4 (95.98) Wessel Nijman
Raymond van Barneveld (104.36) 6 | 2 (101.78) Luke Littler
Danny Noppert (103.05) 6 | 5 (104.15) Damon Heta
Robert Owen (96.31) 6 | 1 (82.16) Rowby-John Rodriguez
Stephen Bunting (105.82) 6 | 4 (93.67) Radek Szaganski
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- Oh, dear... how will we cope now?MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- They really are going through an insipid spell - at present.MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- Well done Mike – good to move on and look to the future. With his talent, and increasing confidence on stage, he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the month ahead.
UndartedWaters22-11-2024 - It's called talent and good on him.medinabello21-11-2024
- There are 30 Players Championship rounds to play first throughout the year and you have to be in the top 64 to get to the finals. This is probably the hardest Major to win as its the top 128 players at each event or the top ranked Challenge Tour players if any tour card holders drop out.Mysstree20-11-2024