Luke Humphries comes from behind to beat teenage sensation Luke Littler to win first PDC World Darts Championship title
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Published 03/01/2024 at 22:39 GMT
Luke Humphries fought back to beat teenage sensation Luke Littler to win his first PDC World Darts Championship title. 'Cool Hand' reeled off five sets in a row to come from 4-2 down and win 7-4. It's a fourth major title of the season for the new world No.1, who says victory is a moment that "will never be forgotten". Littler, meanwhile descibred his debut World Championship as "unbelievable".
Luke Humphries of England lifts the trophy after winning the 2023/24 Paddy Power World Darts Championship Final between Luke Littler of England and Luke Humphries of England on Day Sixteen of the 2023/24 Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra P
Image credit: Getty Images
Luke Littler's dreams of becoming the youngest-ever PDC World Darts champion were shattered as he was beaten 7-4 by Luke Humphries.
The 16-year old, who had enjoyed a dream run to the World Championship final, was the crowd favourite at a rocking Alexandra Palace.
He opened up a 4-2 lead but missed a double to move three sets clear and new world No. 1 Humphries stormed back to win the title.
"I could not put into words how great this feels," Humphries told Sky Sports.
"In the back of my mind, for the whole of the day, I'm just thinking 'get this one now, because he's going to dominate world darts soon!'
"He's an incredible player. When I was on the brink of winning, he was relentless. He's going to win plenty, I'm sure.
"He's been an unbelievable talent, and not just around the dart board. He's been fantastic with all the media. He took defeat so well.
"You will never see another down to earth 16-year-old kid like him. He's just something else."
Humphries, who won the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals in 2023, eased through the first set, but a 142 check-out midway through the second showed Littler had well and truly settled.
Indeed, the first four sets were shared, but then 'The Nuke' started to turn on the style, as he raced into a 4-2 lead.
Just as he looked set to move further clear, he missed double two for a 5-2 advantage, and that proved crucial as 'Cool Hand' suddenly found his range, reeling off four sets in a row thanks to a number of stunning 100-plus finishes, including a 170.
That left Littler needing to win each of the final three sets, but he missed three darts to reduce the deficit to 6-5, allowing Humphries the chance to seal the title with a double eight.
"Set seven felt like a turning point," Humphries said. "He missed one dart. If it's 5-2, it becomes an uphill task for me.
"I can't lie to you, that double eight, my hand was shaking like mad.
"I'm world champion and world No.1. I can't ask for more, I really can't.
"There was a time in my life when I was really depressed and I didn't think this was going to be it, for me. I couldn't do it up on the big stage.
"I went through a lot of problems, and to go on and become world No.1 and world champion has proved a lot to my mental ability.
"I'll draw a lot from this. This is a moment that will never, ever be forgotten.
"Everything that I've wanted to do, I've done now. Now it's about motivating yourself to do more and more, and I want to be double world champion, and I want to win loads of majors."
Warrington-born Littler, who turns 17 this month, has enjoyed an astonishing rise to fame over the last three weeks.
This is the first time he has competed at the World Championships, having won the World Youth title last year, and he pockets a runners-up cheque for £250,000.
It also catapults him into the top 32 in the world, meaning he won't have to compete on the Development Tour next year.
"It's been unbelievable," he said.
"The one negative is I lost too many legs on my throw, so Luke could break me.
"Every game's been good, but this one's really annoyed me. Fair play to Luke, he deserved it. I'm happy to be in the world top 32 and a runner-up on my debut. It's unbelievable.
"I might not get to another final for the next five to 10 years, but I can say I'm a runner-up. Now, I just want to go and win it."
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