Luke Humphries is aiming to cap off the best six months of his darting career to date by claiming his first televised ranking title at this year’s Betfred World Matchplay.
Humphries is on the cusp of a place in the world’s top ten following a blistering start to 2022, which has seen him scoop five PDC ranking titles in as many months.
The Berkshire star clinched his first senior crown in the opening Players Championship event of the year, and has since added four European Tour titles to his growing haul.
The 27-year-old is now bidding to break new ground by clinching a maiden senior televised title in the sport’s summer showpiece, which takes place from July 16-24 at the Winter Gardens.
Humphries will play former UK Open champion Nathan Aspinall in a blockbuster opening round tie, and he is brimming with confidence ahead of his second Blackpool appearance.
“I know I have got the game to beat anybody, and this year has proved that,” said Humphries, ranked 12th on the PDC Order of Merit.
“I said at the World Championships that I had these new darts which I thought could take me to the next level and I’m sat here with five titles now.
“I am hoping I will go on and win more titles this year, and hopefully a big one.
“That’s the next goal for me, to win a major and put myself up there in the top echelons of darts.”
Humphries has plenty of pedigree on the big stage, having lifted the World Youth Championship title in November 2020, before reaching his first TV ranking final at the UK Open less than five months later.
The former Premier League contender has also featured in three of the last four World Championship quarter-finals, reaffirming his status as one of the most capable operators in the sport.
“I think on current form I am one of the top five players in the world, but that can all change,” said Humphries, who is in the same quarter of the draw as the likes of Michael van Gerwen, James Wade and Joe Cullen.
“I sometimes doubt myself too much. I need to start believing that I am one of the best players in the world.
“I still don’t think I’m consistently good enough at this moment in time, but in five to ten years time, I definitely believe I could be the world number one."
Read the full in-depth interview with Luke Humphries in the official 2022 Betfred World Matchplay programme.