Humphries denies battling Bunting to clinch PC26 crown

Luke Humphries clinched his maiden Players Championship title of 2024 in Wigan on Thursday, producing a late burst to deny Stephen Bunting in a compelling Players Championship 26 final.

Humphries fought back from 7-6 adrift to triumph at the Robin Park Tennis Centre, marking the perfect preparation ahead of his BoyleSports World Grand Prix title defence next week.

The world number one will play Bunting in a blockbuster opening round tie in Leicester on Monday, and he struck an early psychological blow to secure his third ranking title of the campaign.

“This was important for me,” insisted Humphries, who was featuring in his first ranking final since July’s World Matchplay.

“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.”

Humphries will return to big stage action at the Mattioli Arena on Monday, as he prepares to defend a televised ranking title for the first time in his career.

“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.”

Humphries kicked off Thursday’s action with ton-topping averages in wins over George Killington and Callum Goffin, before accounting for Connor Scutt and Josh Rock in reaching the last eight.

The 29-year-old then recovered from 4-2 down to topple top seed Dave Chisnall, before fending off a semi-final fightback from Luke Woodhouse, who rallied from 6-2 adrift to force a decider.

The opening six legs of Thursday’s showpiece were shared, although Humphries established some daylight at 5-3, punishing five missed darts at double across two legs from Bunting.

However, the St Helens star responded magnificently to regain the initiative, following up legs of 14 and 11 darts with a clinical 72 kill to move to the cusp of victory at 7-6.

Humphries wasn’t to be denied though, converting a two-dart 83 outshot to set up a last-leg shoot-out, where he produced a 12-dart break of throw to secure the spoils.

Bunting – also a runner-up on Tuesday and Wednesday – performed magnificently throughout the afternoon to progress to his third Players Championship final in as many days.

Following early wins against Joshua Richardson and Stefan Bellmont, Bunting registered a quartet of ton-plus averages to progress to a fifth Players Championship final of the season.

The Masters champion followed up a 6-1 demolition of Josh Payne with a brace of 6-4 wins against Radek Szaganski and Robert Owen, before defeating Raymond van Barneveld 7-6 in the semi-finals.

Van Barneveld was one of Thursday’s stand-out performers, whitewashing William O’Connor and Jeffrey de Zwaan, while averaging 105 and 104 in crushing wins against Mensur Suljovic and Luke Littler respectively.

The Dutch icon then won through a deciding-leg tussle against his compatriot Danny Noppert in the quarter-finals, although his bid for a second ProTour title of 2024 was halted by a brilliant Bunting.

Woodhouse also impressed in his run to the last four, coming from 5-1 down in his opening round tie against Adam Gawlas, before averaging almost 106 to see off Ryan Meikle.

The 35-year-old produced more late heroics to overcome Andy Boulton in round three, which was backed up by victories against Dutch duo Wessel Nijman and Christian Kist.

Former Lakeside champion Kist was joined in the last four by his fellow Dutchman Noppert, with Chisnall and Owen making up the quarter-final line-up.

Ritchie Edhouse and Lee Evans also achieved personal milestones in Wigan, with Evans firing in a nine-darter during his superb first round victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Edhouse, meanwhile, recorded an astonishing 120.24 average to whitewash Graham Hall at the same stage, reeling off legs of 12, 10, 13, 14, 15 and 11 darts to cap off the performance of his career.

The 2024 PDC ProTour season resumes later this month, as the Robin Park Tennis Centre plays host to Players Championships 27-28 on October 15-16.

Action from four boards will be simultaneously streamed on PDCTV, as the race to qualify for the Players Championship Finals and the World Darts Championship intensifies.

The event draw and results are listed in the Match Centre.

Click here for match stats through DartConnect.

2024 Players Championship 26
Thursday October 3
Robin Park Tennis Centre, Wigan
Last 16
Dave Chisnall 6-5 Ritchie Edhouse
Luke Humphries 6-2 Josh Rock
Christian Kist 6-4 Daryl Gurney
Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 Luke Littler
Danny Noppert 6-5 Damon Heta
Robert Owen 6-1 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Radek Szaganski

Quarter-Finals
Luke Humphries 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Christian Kist
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Danny Noppert
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Robert Owen