Luke Humphries has recorded arguably the best win of his career in recording an 11-9 victory over Michael van Gerwen in the Players Championship Finals.
Over the past two months, Humphries has been the form player in the sport, lifting the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts for his first two major titles.
The 28-year-old now has three televised crowns to his name, defying a Van Gerwen nine-darter and trailing 9-5 to remarkably win the closing six legs of the final.
Humphries opened with a 130 checkout, yet he was powerless as Van Gerwen produced the perfect leg just before the first interval, establishing a 3-2 lead.
Although Humphries was always competitive, Van Gerwen was 8-4 up at one point as he averaged well in excess of 100 throughout a captivating showpiece.
NINE-DARTER FROM MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 🚨
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 26, 2023
Simply ridiculous. Simply sublime!
Michael van Gerwen hits the perfect leg to lead 3-2 in this incredible 2023 Players Championship Final! pic.twitter.com/0yh7HD23Wr
However, his opponent found something extra from the 14th leg onwards, benefitting from the occasional slip from Van Gerwen yet upping the level of his performance.
A 142 checkout got him back to 9-9 before moving one away from the title, but the drama was saved for the 20th leg as Van Gerwen somehow blew the chance to force a decider.
The Dutchman missed as many as eight darts for 10-10, while Humphries also squandered several for the tournament before he eventually pegged double one.
Humphries moves up to number three in the PDC Order of Merit ahead of Monday's draw for the World Championship, while Van Gerwen missed the chance to close the gap on world number one Michael Smith.
Darren Plant
