"This isn't stopping anytime soon" - Wayne Mardle expects Luke Humphries' domination to continue for foreseeable future

Luke Humphries is on top of the world of darts once more after a sensational victory in the final of the 2024 World Matchplay against Michael van Gerwen, 18-15 on Sunday night in Blackpool.

This time last year, Humphries had no major titles to his name, but has since claimed the win at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, the Players Championship Finals, the World Darts Championship and now the World Matchplay, with finals reached at both the UK Open and Premier League Darts in between too. So just how long can this era of 'Cool Hand Luke' dominance last?

"He had two darts to win the UK Open that he didn't win and he was in the final of the Premier League as well. This haul could have been way bigger than it is. But where does it stop?," Wayne Mardle told Sky Sports. "It often gets said the floodgates will open, but sometimes they don't. Well, apparently they have for Luke Humphries. He is the best player on the planet and he's the most reliable player on the planet. He does it time and time again. Even his bad games are not bad. Now he's a big stage player. Put him on the big stage and you watch players crumble against him. He just does it very, very well and he makes it look so simple."

With his World Matchplay win, Humphries became only the second player - after Phil Taylor - to win the Winter Gardens title averaging over 100 in every game. "I think if he wins the Premier League next year even more emotion will come out," Mardle adds. "This ton-plus every round, get used to it with Luke Humphries because this isn't stopping anytime soon."

In a thrilling final, Humphries didn't have it all his own way either, being made to produce his best stuff by a valiant Michael van Gerwen. "The game was so close at the end, I'm just really disappointed for Michael van Gerwen to lose the last two legs the way he lost them by missing doubles," Mardle analyses. "Luke marches over the line, he doesn't fall."

As for Van Gerwen, Mardle was impressed with the Dutchman's performance despite ultimately coming up short. "He felt that there was a little bit more he could have got out of it and so many top players would have been out the door and in the car," said 'Hawaii 501' Mardle. "Michael knows. But like he said, it's about moving forward. he's won so much and he understands the game."

"He was in tears when Phil Taylor did a proper number on him a few years ago and whilst this wasn't a proper number, he's a threat and they all know he's a threat. He will feel like he's failed but he came in with not much form and left with some form and it's winning form," he concludes. "There's many world champions, they've become world champion and they've been on some kind of beano for a year! Others are like now it's about the Premier League or what's after that. They want to do more. Those players generally win again."