Luke Humphries secured his first Professional Darts Corporation major title in more than a year by overcoming Gerwyn Price in the final of the World Grand Prix in Leicester. The 31-year-old triumphed 6-4 in the tournament's unique double-in, double-out format, collecting a top prize of £150,000 for his efforts.
The victory marks a significant turning point for the world number two, whose last major trophy came at the Premier League in May 2025. Following a period where his previous dominance at the summit of the sport faced mounting pressure from emerging rivals, Humphries displayed notable resilience to capture his second World Grand Prix crown, having previously won the event in 2023.
The championship match began with a dominant display from Price, who surged into a 3-0 lead while maintaining an exceptional scoring average. Humphries later admitted that avoiding a clean sweep crossed his mind during the Welshman's early onslaught.
The turning point arrived in the fourth set. With Price poised to extend his advantage, Humphries successfully checked out from 105 to swing the momentum of the contest. He later described that crucial finish as the biggest shot of his career.
Capitalising on that breakthrough, the second seed claimed four consecutive sets to seize control of the match. Although Price responded by winning the eighth set to level the score, Humphries elevated his game during the closing stages. He broke the throw with a clinical 10-dart finish in the ninth set before sealing the victory with three unanswered legs.
The triumph allows Humphries to defend his second position in the world rankings against competition from the Netherlands' Gian van Veen. Speaking after the match, Humphries reflected on a challenging 16-month stretch marked by losses in major finals and expressed hope that the breakthrough would restore his confidence.
For Price, the defeat extends a four-year drought without a major PDC trophy. The Welshman has now suffered defeats in five consecutive major finals, including three losses throughout the current year, despite reaching his fourth career Grand Prix showcase.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.